CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

6. Bond Between Steel and Concrete

What is “Bond”?
Bond between steel and concrete, when effectively developed, enables reinforcing steel and concrete to
form a composite material.

Recall Section 1.4.1, we discussed the fundamental assumptions in design and analysis of reinforced
concrete in flexure:

1. Plane sections before bending remain plane after bending;

2. Perfect bond between reinforcing steel and concrete;
3. Tensile strength of concrete ignored;
4. Elastic-plastic steel stress-strain response;
5. Maximum strain at the extreme compression fiber 𝜀𝑐 =0.003

In reality, bond is not “perfect”, but for most practical applications, we can consider it to be so.

Imagine the case of a reinforced concrete beam with no bond:

To deform together, there must be compatibility between the deformations in concrete and steel.
- In other words: concrete and steel must exert forces on each other.

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Some common terminology used in practice, according to ACI 408:

6.1.1 Bond Stress

Bond stress results from the change in steel stress between two points.
- A function of the rate of change of stress in steel
- Bond is defined as a shear force per surface area of steel having unit length

6.1.2 Bond Stresses in an Axially Loaded Prism

Stress in steel

Stress in concrete

Bond stress

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Near the center of the prism, concrete and steel deform together:

Prior to concrete cracking, the load carried by steel and concrete can be approximately calculated from
linear elastic structural mechanics.

What happens if concrete cracks?

As load is increased, assume a crack forms at some location when 𝑓𝑡 = 𝑃𝑐 /𝐴𝑐 :

𝑃 𝑃

Stress in steel

Stress in concrete

Bond stress

This pattern will continue with additional cracking, until the cracks are so closely spaced that
bond stresses cannot build up concrete stress between the crack locations.
At this point, the crack pattern is stable, and all additional deflection occurs at the cracks.

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This is known as “in-and-out bond stresses”, which refers to transfer of stresses into & out of
the bar (or concrete).
6.1.3 Bond Stresses in a Beam

Shear

Moment

Consider the free-body diagram of a small slice of beam with width 𝑑𝑥:

𝑑𝑥

Let’s define 𝑼 = bond force per unit length, and consider the bar only:

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CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

From this derivation, we can deduce that:

• Bond stresses are highest where shear is high (where moment is changing rapidly);
• Bond stresses between cracks also have “in-and-out” stresses between them.

Shear

Moment

Bond stresses

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CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

Development and Splices of Reinforcement

The force required to pull a deformed reinforcing bar out of a block of concrete increases as the length
of the bar cast into the block increases. This length is known as the embedment length.

If the embedment length is long enough, yielding of reinforcement will occur before pull-out.

The minimum embedment length required to develop the yield stress in the reinforcement is called the
development length (𝒍𝒅 ).
Bond stress 𝑢

Embedment length
Steel stress 𝑓𝑠

Bond is provided by both:

1.
2.

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CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

Mechanism of force transfer between steel and concrete:

(ADAPTED FROM BREZ AND PAO, 2009)

Typical bond failure modes of deformed reinforcement in concrete:

(SOURCE: TASTANI AND PANTAZOPOULOU, 2009)

Splitting failure
Pull-out failure:

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How is average bond 𝒖𝒂𝒗𝒈 measured?

Pull-out specimen Beam-end test

Splice test Another splice test

Factors that influence bond strength and development length:

• Specimen/test configuration
• Tensile strength of concrete
• Bar coating (epoxy coated, clean, greasy, rusted, etc.)
• Bar location (close to an edge, top cast vs. bottom cast)
• Lightweight concrete
• Presence of transverse reinforcement (think, confinement!)
• Concrete cover
• Spacing of developed/spliced bars
• And many, many more

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ACI Bond and Development Length

6.3.1 Development of deformed bars and deformed wires in tension

The development length 𝑙𝑑 for deformed bars and deformed wires in tension shall be taken as:

ACI 318-14 Cl. 25.4.2, or 318-11 12.2

𝑙𝑑 =

But not less than 12 inches ( 𝒍𝒅 > 𝟏𝟐")

Where:
𝑙𝑑 = development length (inches)
𝑑𝑏 = bar diameter (inches)
𝑓𝑦 = yield strength of the bar (psi)
𝑓𝑐′ = concrete compressive strength (psi)

𝝍𝒕 = bar location factor

Accounts for the observation that top cast bars have lower bond strength than bars cast lower in a
member.

𝜓𝑡 =

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𝝍𝒆 = coating factor (i.e., epoxy or zinc coatings)

Bar coatings are used to improve the corrosion resistance of reinforcing bars.

However, the surface conditions of the reinforcing steel significantly impact bond due to its effect on
surface friction between concrete and steel, and the ability of reinforcement deformations to transfer
force between the two materials.

Epoxy coating primarily reduces chemical bond and increases the tendency for splitting bond failure:

ACI 318-14 Table 25.4.2.4

=1.5, for closely spaced epoxy or zinc-epoxy coated

bars with small cover

𝜓𝑒 =
=1.2, for other epoxy coated bars

= 1.0, uncoated or zinc-coated reinforcement

NOTE: Max. 𝜓𝑡 𝜓𝑒 = 1.7

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𝝍𝒔 = bar size factor

Smaller bars are reported to have “more favorable” bond characteristics than larger bars.

𝜓𝑠 =

𝝀 =lightweight concrete factor

Lightweight aggregates are prone to local crushing. Also, for the same 𝑓𝑐′ , lightweight concrete has lower
𝑓𝑐𝑡 than normalweight concrete.

ACI 318-14 Table 25.4.2.4

=0.75, for lightweight concrete

𝑓𝑐𝑡
= ≤ 1.0
′
𝜆= 6.7√𝑓𝑐𝑚
for lightweight concrete where 𝑓𝑐𝑡 is specified

= 1.0, normalweight concrete

𝒄𝒃 +𝑲𝒕𝒓
( 𝒅𝒃
) =Confinement term
𝑐𝑏 +𝐾𝑡𝑟
The confinement term ( ) accounts for the effectiveness of cover depth and transverse
𝑑𝑏
𝑐𝑏 +𝐾𝑡𝑟
reinforcement to provide confinement to the developed or spliced region. Note ( ) < 2.5
𝑑𝑏

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𝑲𝒕𝒓 =Transverse reinforcement index

The presence of transverse reinforcement crossing potential bond splitting planes can delay and control
splitting crack propagation.

𝐾𝑡𝑟 =

Simplified expression for 𝒍𝒅

ACI 318 also permits the use of simplified expressions for computing 𝑙𝑑 as follows: (2014 edition)

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Excess Reinforcement

The development length 𝑙𝑑 can be reduced in limited circumstances if excess reinforcement is provided.

ACI 318-14 Cl. 25.4.10.1

𝑙𝑑 can be reduced by

But not less than the minimums!

Summary of Modification Factors for Bars in Tension

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6.3.2 Development of deformed bars and deformed wires in compression

Development lengths in compression can be much smaller than tension development lengths because
concrete is less likely to be cracked, and due to end bearing of compression bars.

ACI 318-14 Cl. 25.4.9.2

𝑙𝑑 ≥ {

But not less than 8 inches ( 𝒍𝒅𝒄 > 𝟖")

𝝍𝒓 = Confining reinforcing factor

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CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

6.3.3 Bundled Bars in Tension or Compression

When a large number of bars are required, the bars can be placed in bundles of 2, 3, or 4 bars. This is
common in column design [and in pre-stressed and post-tensioned applications – but here we focus on
deformed reinforcement!].

6.3.4 Development of Standard Hooks

The geometry of standard hooks is defined in Table 25.3.1:

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CEE 5410 – Fall 2017 Intermediate Reinforced Concrete Structures Virginia Tech

When the straight lead length is not sufficient to develop the steel force, hooks are used to maintain
anchorage.

(SOURCE: WIGHT, 2016)

Hook development length is shorter than straight bars, so they are primarily used when space is tight.

ACI 318-14 Cl. 25.4.3

𝑙𝑑ℎ ≥ {

But not less than 𝟖𝒅𝒃 or 6 inches ( 𝒍𝒅𝒉 > 𝟔")

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where 𝜓𝑒 , 𝜓𝑐 , and 𝜓𝑟 are defined in Table 25.4.3.2:

Other requirements for standard hooks, Cl. 25.4.3.3:

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Confinement:

6.3.5 Reinforcement Splices

Reinforcement splices are often used when continuous lengths of reinforcement are required.

Tension splices, Cl. 25.5.2

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Compression Splices, Cl. 25.5.5

ACI 318-14 Cl. 25.5.5.1

𝑙𝑠𝑐 ≥ {

For 𝑓𝑐′ = 3000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, increase 𝑙𝑠𝑐 by 1/3rd

But not less than 𝟏𝟐 inches ( 𝒍𝒔𝒄 > 𝟏𝟐")

Splices in columns, Cl. 10.7.5.2

Type of splice defends on stress in the reinforcement

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Where are development lengths most important?

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6.3.6 Flexural Bar Cutoffs

In typical flexural design, we design the members to resist the worst-case moment.

• If the internal moment 𝑀 = 𝑇 × 𝑗𝑑 where 𝑗𝑑 is the moment arm

• Assume 𝑗𝑑 is constant along the beam

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Flexural bar cutoffs are covered in ACI 318 – Cl. 9.7 (for beams) and Cl. 7.7 (for one-way slabs).
Basic idea:
- Calculate 𝜙𝑀𝑛 – all bars (worst case moment)
- Calculate 𝜙𝑀𝑛 – for remaining bars (how many to remove?)
- Determine the theoretical cutoff points

-  Cl. 9.7.3.3: Extend reinforcement 𝑑 or 12𝑑𝑏 past the theoretical cutoff

-  Cl. 9.7.3.4: Development length @ max. stress & past theoretical cutoff (also 9.7.3.2)

Cl.

Theoretical cut-offs

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-  Check Cl. 9.7.7 – Satisfy continuous integrity reinforcement

-  Satisfy Section 9.7.3.8.3 for maximum effective development length

• Ensures 𝑀𝑛 is increasing faster than demand

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-  Check Cl. 9.7.3.5 – Never terminate reinforcement in a tensile zone unless one of the
three conditions is satisfied.

Flexural Bar Cutoff Example

Determine the cutoff points for two bars in the given beam:

𝑤𝑢 = 2.8 𝑘/𝑓𝑡

𝐿 = 32 𝑓𝑡

𝑓𝑦 = 60 𝑘𝑠𝑖
𝑓𝑐′ = 4 𝑘𝑠𝑖
𝜙𝑀𝑛 for four bars = 359.7 𝑘 ∙ 𝑓𝑡
𝜙𝑀𝑛 for two bars = 185.3 𝑘 ∙ 𝑓𝑡
𝑙𝑑 for #8 bar = 41 𝑖𝑛

Determine theoretical cut-off point:

𝑀𝑢 ሺ𝑥ሻ =

 Extend bar 𝑑 or 12𝑑𝑏 past theoretical:

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 Bars must extend 𝑙𝑑 past point of maximum bar stress, or adjacent

bar theoretical cut-off point

 Check Cl. 9.7.7 – Satisfy continuous integrity reinforcement

“At simple supports, at least 1/3 of the maximum positive reinforcement
shall extend along the beam bottom into the support at least 6 in…”

 Satisfy Section 9.7.3.8.3 for maximum effective development length

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 Check Cl. 9.7.3.5 – Never terminate reinforcement in a tensile zone unless one of the three
conditions is satisfied.
Check if condition 9.7.3.5 (a) is true:
2
(a) Can cut-off bars if 𝑉𝑢 at the cut-off point is less than 3 𝜙𝑉𝑛

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