Bond Behavior between Embedded Through-Section Bars and Concrete

Abstract

The embedded through-section (ETS) method has been used as a new technique to strengthen the reinforced concrete beams in shear. In this technique, the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) or steel rods are embedded through previously drilled holes into the concrete core. Most of the previous research concluded that the ETS method was proved to be particularly efficient and increase significantly of the shear resistance. This paper focuses on the bond response between the ETS bars and concrete substrate. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models of concrete blocks strengthened by ETS bars using ANSYS 15.0 are built and considered. Furthermore, the analytical formulation of the slip profiles is offered to assess the bond performances of the ETS rods to concrete. The effects of concrete compressive strength and embedded length on the bond performances of the ETS strengthened concrete blocks are also investigated. The results obtained from this study are compared and verified with the experimental data of the literature to confirm the effectiveness of the numerical and analytical investigations. This study provides insight into the mechanical performances of concrete blocks with the strengthening of ETS rods, builds the reliable FE models which can be used to predict the bond response of concrete members strengthened by the ETS technique, offers the rational, analytical formulas to evaluate the bond behavior between ETS bars and concrete.