Residual bond strength of polymer adhesive anchored reinforcement subjected to high temperatures

Abstract

The results are presented of an experimental project into the residual strength characteristics of polymer adhesives used in anchoring steel reinforcement bars, following exposure to elevated temperatures. The adhesives tested were polyester resin and epoxy resin grouts. Two types of experiment were undertaken designed to investigate the residual bond strength as well as the compressive strength of specimens. For the bond strength determination, pull-out tests were carried out on 150 mm cubes. Compressive tests were undertaken on small cylindrical specimens. All specimens were exposed to different temperatures in pre-heated ovens and then allowed to cool down to normal laboratory temperatures prior to testing. In the bond tests, two types of failure were observed: splitting and slipping. Splitting of the cubes occurred in specimens exposed to temperatures below about 200° C, and the adhesive characteristics were in general enhanced. Slipping failures, by pulling through the adhesive, were obtained in specimens exposed to higher temperatures than about 200°C, and both the residual bond and compressive strengths were observed to diminish with increasing temperature. Additionally, the texture of the adhesive had changed, losing its cohesiveness. Based on this observation, an approach for assessing thein situ bond capacity of anchors is proposed.