Long-term bolt preload relaxation and contact pressure distribution in clamping anchorages for CFRP plates

Clamping anchorages are commonly used to anchor carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates, and the anchoring performance is significantly impacted by bolt preload. This research presents experimental and numerical investigations of long-term bolt preload relaxation in clamping anchorages for CFRP plates. First, a compression test was conducted to obtain the elastic modulus in the thickness direction of CFRP plates. Subsequently, four types of relaxation tests (single bolt, planar and curved anchorage, external load effect, and thickened anchorage) were conducted, considering the effects of the number of CFRP plates, anchorage type, external load, and initial preload. The elastic interaction during the tightening process was also investigated. The contact pressure distribution was simulated through the finite element method, which is in good agreement with the experimental results obtained from pressure papers. To fit relaxation test results and predict million-hour relaxation, different theoretical models were employed. The results indicate that the number of CFRP plates is crucial to preload relaxation, and the presence of CFRP plates introduces strong elastic interactions between bolts in the anchorage. Preload relaxation also increases under external loads and with the increase in initial preload. Curved anchorage has less bolt preload relaxation in the long term under external loads. Additionally, thickened anchorages have a more uniform contact pressure distribution due to the improved pressure diffusion mechanism.