Influence of longitudinal rib on bond strength of rebar

An experiment was attempted to study the influence of longitudinal ribs on bond strength
between rebar and concrete. The surface of the rebar is generally patterned to form a better
bond, as it is critical that the steel be adequately bonded to the concrete. Keeping this point
into centre two types of samples were prepared and arrangement was made for testing. Two
different re-bars of 20mm dia. were taken and their one end was machined to about 200mm
to make plain longitudinal rib, not matching with height of transverse rib. Transverse ribs were
kept intact to understand transfer of force in axial load direction and its relative slip. Rebar and
plain round bar were then embedded in the concrete cube made of premix convextra GP-2 for
curing and testing. Bond strength testing was done with necessary test arrangement. During
testing, speed of testing was kept constant and cracking phenomenon was observed with time.
Starting from 0.025mm slip to 0.25mm, readings were taken at all 16 points and finally block
broke into two pieces. Illustrative graph indicates details for plain rod, plain rebar and
machined rebar.

Specimens taken for test Arrangement of test

Material used for experiment: Cube size and details

Cement /Concrete: Convextra GP-2 Cast Cube Size: 150mmx150mm
Rebar Size: 20mm Nominal Dia. Cube Strength after curing(L)= 304 kg/cm2
Machine for testing: FUT-10 Cube Strength after curing (W/L)=297 kg/cm2

20mm & 150mm

Schematic of test arrangement
Mean projected area for ribs per unit length

Ar Value = ntrAtr SinѲ /Str

Where, Ar= Mean Projected area of the rib
ntr= No. of Longitudinal ribs /No. of rows of transverse ribs
Atr=ltrXdtr
ltr= Length of transverse rib
dtr= Depth of the transverse rib

Typical rib design for rebar & calculation of mean projected area of rib

Mean projected area of 20mm Rebar =4.93 mm2/mm

100
Slip Vs Load Trend Graph
Plain rod(kN Avg.)
80
Plain Rebar(kN Avg.)
Load (kN)

60

40 Machined rebar (kN

Avg.)
20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Slip (mm)

Conclusion:
- Machined rebar has shown similar values of force transfer as that of normal rebar
during the test with existing model of experiments, except for a few points.
- Bond strength has two distinct components: first one is adhesion force and second is
frictional force. In adhesion force cement or concrete strength is contributing to
bonding whereas frictional force is attributed to rib design and its quality.
- The bond-slip in machined rebar recovered after 50kN load and achieved similar
trend as compared to normal rebar. This result indicates that rib design and
spacing are factors contributing to bonding and longitudinal rib has little role to
play for bond strength.