Fastening technique in seismic areas: a critical review

National and International codes focus mainly on structural safety and serviceability of structures. Actually, other aspects are becoming of importance and therefore they will demand updating of design recommandations. One of them is the fastening technique and in particular anchorage to concrete because of its flexible use in all kinds of structures. In order to ensure their safe and economical use in a wide range of constructions, qualification, design requirements and installation procedures are to be defined. In Europe, a large number of buildings are in seismic areas and therefore have to be designed according to EC8. As consequence, anchors must be also qualified and designed for seismic loading according to european design criteria for buildings and other structures. Up to date provisions for qualification of products and design for application of fastener in seismic areas are still in progress. The only reference codes in the world are ACI 355, for qualification of anchors, and 2006 IBC, for designing. This work aims to clarify the understanding of the fundamental principles of the seismic behaviour of fastners to concrete in broad range of applications (connection of partitions, facade elements, equipments especially in strategical buildings as hospitals, connections in composite structures, etc.). The authors focus their attention on the seismic capacity of anchors that transmit structural and non-structural loads from attachments into concrete members. The following crucial points have been reviewed and discussed: load cases including earthquake, cracking of concrete, requirements for ductility, overstrength and failure modes.