Effect of surface treatment on bond of embedded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer plates

Abstract

In this study, experimental bond investigations through pullout and split tensile testing were carried out for the possible application of embedded fiber reinforced polymer laminates/plates as internal reinforcements as an alternative form of reinforcement to fiber reinforced polymer rods. The effect of different surface treatments and two concrete compressive strengths on the bond behavior are the main parameters investigated. Results showed that the bond strength of the embedded carbon fiber reinforced polymer plates increased as the concrete compressive strength increased and that the surface condition of the embedded carbon fiber reinforced polymer plate enhanced the bond behavior. An in-depth visual examination of the test specimens after failure indicated that bond failure occurred in both the concrete and at the resin layer of the embedded carbon fiber reinforced polymer plate. In addition, the tensile bond strength of the concrete-fiber reinforced polymer interface for different surface conditions is determined. The failure mode and bond strengths of embedded carbon fiber reinforced polymer plates was found to depend on the relative shear strengths of the concrete and resin layer interfaces.