Concrete cover effect on the bond of GFRP bar and concrete under static loading

Paper presents assessment of bond behaviour between GFRP bars and concrete, investigated through set of centric and eccentric pull-out specimens. Main parameters under investigation are 1) bar external surface, 2) concrete mechanical properties and 3) concrete cover. Corresponding tests with steel reinforcement are performed for comparison in some cases. DIC technique was used for recording and evaluating of strain field on frontal side of eccentric specimens. Consequently, cracking patterns and local bond behaviour are described in details. Increasing of concrete mechanical properties always enhanced bond strength and delayed cracking of concrete cover. Ribbed GFRP bars showed excellent bonding performance when combined with low concrete cover. Their low splitting tendency and specific rib geometry developed better bond behaviour in case of eccentric tests, which showed the possibility of a proper prediction of the bonding behaviour of structural components.