Influence of Galvanized Iron Fiber on Bond Behavior of Concrete

The serviceability and durability of any reinforced concrete structure depend on the bonding characteristics between concrete and reinforcing bars. The tensile stresses in the structures are transferred to concrete from reinforcing bars through the effective bond action between them. But often, plain concrete fails to achieve a complete bond with the reinforcing bars embedded in it. Thus, this research incorporates locally available galvanized iron fiber (GIF) to increase the mechanical as well as the bonding properties of concrete. Test parameters include the percentage of GIF as 0, 0.25, and 0.5%; the diameter (D) of rebar as 12, 16, and 20 mm; and the embedded length as 8D and 12D. Results reveal that a decrease in the bar size and the embedment length increases the bond strength. In terms of GIF, it positively impacts bonding properties in both cases. Besides, most GIF-reinforced specimens demonstrate either concrete rapture/v-notch failure or rebar rapture/rebar yielding failure. Only the samples with 8D embedded length undergo pullout failure. The 0.25% GIF-reinforced concrete exhibits comparatively higher strength than the 0.5% GIF-reinforced concrete. Finally, this research will encourage engineers to build GIF-reinforced concrete using a locally available GIF to produce a better bonding mechanism in concrete.