Influence of High Temperature on Bond between NSM FRP Bars/Strips and Concrete

The use of near surface mounted (NSM) fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) is being increasingly recognized as a valid technique strengthening of concrete members. In case of elevated temperature or fire exposure however, the bond between the bars and the concrete will be lost very quickly due to the adhesive's low glass transition temperature. Although recent studies have shown that the fire endurance of appropriately designed and insulated FRP strengthened RC members is satisfactory, the performance of FRP strengthening systems at high temperature remains largely unknown. To study the bond behaviour at elevated temperature between the NSM FRP bars and concrete a series of 18 double bond shear tests were performed at Ghent University. Results show that the failure load of NSM FRP strengthened concrete structures and the bond strength are influenced at values of temperature equal to or beyond the glass transition temperature. Failure mode changed by increasing the temperature.