Experimental and analytical investigation of bond-slip relationship between fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) bars and concrete

The use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforcement if of special interest in regions where corrosion is a major problem. A number of manufacturers have developed FRP rods made of carbon (CFRP) and glass (GFRP) for this application.; The objective of this experimental research is to quantify the bonding properties of FRP rods made of carbon (CFRP) and glass (GFRP) with concrete by conducting a set of experiments. The set of experiments would involve pullout tests using vertical bond specimens. The test would be in accordance with the ACI 440 k provisions. Provisions of some recommended bond parameters in ACI 440 R.1 (2003), such as K2 and K3 would be evaluated by performing an analytical study on the experimental data.; The two different types of the bars exhibited different bond properties. The bond for GFRP rebars was found to be much better than that for the CFRP bars. In fact in some cases splitting of the GFRP rebar was observed suggesting that bond with concrete should not be much of an issue in future.