Post-installed reinforcing bars - Requirements for their reliable use

Post-installed steel reinforcing bar connections carried out with anchoring mortars sufficiently qualified to fulfill the requirements for safety, serviceability, and durability of concrete structures are capable of developing bond behavior equivalent to cast-in-place steel reinforcing bars. Therefore, their design can be performed according to reinforced concrete design provisions. Post-installed anchorage technology offers fast and convenient solution to introduce new reinforcement in an existing reinforced concrete (RC) structural system, and hence serves as effective method for strengthening and upgrade of existing structures. The behavior of post-installed reinforcement depends on the existing condition of the concrete member. This paper addresses the aspects related to base material, installation, environment, and load conditions in service. This paper also comments on the qualification of anchoring mortars and provides information on the design of post-installed reinforcing bars as reinforcement (RC design perspective) or as anchorage (adhesive anchor design perspective) in the light of corresponding provisions necessary to achieve the same safety level in service compared to connections with cast-in steel reinforcing bars.