CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Bond strength properties of concrete are considered vital in construction, concrete

in nature tends to fail because of different factors and different defects such as spalling,

honeycomb and cold joints and is usually repaired using epoxy thus, creating an interface

between the concrete and the adhesive material. This interfacial bond is tested using

different methods and its properties are mainly dependent on the adhesion between bonded

surfaces. Adhesion to the interface depends on different parameters such as bonding agent,

material compaction, cleanness, specimen age, and the shrinkage of the added concrete

(Magda I. Mousa, 2015).

Several studies have focused on the bond mechanism between composite concretes.

The correct choice and method of obtaining the bond strength determine the degree of

success between bonded surfaces. The measurement of bond strength is dependent on the

test method used. Several tests are available to measure the bond strength. However,

limited information is available on the comparison of these various test methods and the

resulting bond strength values. The existing tests to determine the bond between bonded

surfaces can be divided into three categories according to stresses which may arise. The

first category of tests measures the bond under tension stress; this category represents the

direct tension or pull-off test, splitting test, and indirect tension or flexural test. The second

category of tests measures the bond under shear stress also called as direct shear stress
 2

methods. In the third category, the bond strength is measured under the combination of

shear and compression test; the example of this category is the slant shear test.

In these applications, the slant shear test has become the most accepted test, since

it has been adopted by a number of international codes for evaluating the bonding between

two end surfaces; therefore, the researchers used this test to evaluate adhesion between the

concrete and the adhesive material using cylindrical concrete specimens and I-shaped

specimens. Also, the Direct Tension Test using Modified Bond Strength Test Apparatus

with Rotational Corrector (MBSTA-RC) was conducted.

Background of the Study

Concrete is considered to be one of the ultimate construction materials used in

different structures and the quality of concrete is judged largely on the strength of that

concrete. Strength is usually the basis for acceptance or rejection of the concrete in the

structure that is why testing of concrete is vital to ensuring the strength and resilience of

built structures.

Concrete is subjected to many kinds of tests besides compressive. These are

tension, shear, flexure, and torsion. These tests require different specimens based on

standard tests provided by ASTM. In connection with this, researchers came up with the

idea of making a unique specimen and an apparatus that is capable to determine the

different properties. Delimited that the specimen is subjected only to tension, slant shear,

and compression.
 3

In the study entitled “Modified Direct Tensile Test” by Andaya, et. al 2017 a

fabricated apparatus was used in a direct tension test measuring the tensile strength of

concrete, the disadvantage of their results is that the rotation of the specimen was not

considered resulting in difference between the computed tensile strength and the true

tensile strength of the concrete. In the succeeding year, another similar study was then

conducted entitled Modified Direct Tensile Test for Concrete with Rotational Corrector

and they considered the tilting of the specimen when a load is applied, formulating a

mathematical model to correct the rotation. Furthermore, the specimens are too small in

the middle that’s why the researchers modified its size so that it will be desirable to use on

the slant shear test where it will be subjected to a compressive force.

The researchers will then use the modified specimen in determining the bond

strength of the adhesive material used to connect concrete. In determining the behavior of

the interface bond of composite members there are different experimental tests used. These

can be classified according to the stress state at the interface in the following groups: i)

tension; ii) bending; and iii) shear. To determine the bond strength in shear, the slant shear

test method is used in accordance with ASTM C882 wherein two equal sections of a 3 by

6-in. [75 by 150-mm] Portland-cement mortar cylinder are bonded together, each section

of which has a diagonally cast bonding area at a 30° angle from vertical. In this test set-up,

the interface is too close to the specimen and thus affected by a complex stress state. While

in tension, the direct tension test method was adapted by the researchers and fabricated an

apparatus that was used to pull the I-shaped specimens with 45° inclination in the bond

plane.
 4

Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study aimed to determine the Bond Strength of the Adhesive

Material by Modified Bond Strength Test Apparatus with Rotational Corrector (MBSTA-

RC).

Specifically, this study was conducted to:

1. To design and fabricate the MBSTA-RC in measuring the bond strength of an

adhesive material.

2. To determine the compressive strength of the concrete specimen.

3. To determine the shear bond capacity of the adhesive material by slant shear

test.

4. To determine the shear bond capacity of the adhesive material by slant shear

test using I-shaped specimens.

5. To determine the bond strength of the adhesive material in tension by MBSTA-

RC.

Statement of the Problem

This study was conducted to determine the Bond Strength of the Adhesive Material

by Modified Bond Strength Test Apparatus with Rotational Corrector (MBSTA-RC).

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the compressive strength of concrete?

2. What is the shear bond strength of the adhesive material, attained from the

following method;

2a. Slant Shear Test Method by ASTM

2b. Slant Shear Test Method using the I-shaped specimens

3. What is the bond strength in tension of the adhesive material, attained from

the following method;

3a. Theoretical value of Tensile Strength

3b. Direct Tension Test using the MBSTA-RC

Significance of the Study

The results of the study will be of great benefit to the following:

Future Researchers. This research study can help future researchers in improving their

study concerning the bond strength test of concrete. Also, this research can widen the

studies about bond strength in order to improve the concrete mix designing.

Civil Engineers & Architects. The results of this study will be significant for further

improvements and innovations of structural designs. It can also help the engineers to

further study the bond strength of composite concrete.

Academe. Different Universities and Institutions can utilize this study with the use of

Universal Testing Machine. More accurate results in terms of the bond strength of

composite concrete will be obtained. This will be additional help for the students as well

as to the faculty of the institution.

Scope and Delimitations of Study

This study focused on gathering data about the bond strength of concrete and

adhesive material which is the Structural Epoxy - Polytech (Epoxy Injection: Part A and

Part B) with calcined diatomite clay. There were four methods performed, the Compressive

Test Method by ASTM, the Slant Shear Test Method by ASTM and the Slant Shear Test

Method using I-shaped specimens and the Direct Tensile Test using the MBSTA-RC.

There was only one water-cement ratio of 0.48 used having three (3) samples each

test methods, with a nominal size of three-fourth inches (3/4”) of coarse aggregates. The

joint angle of the I-beam specimen was 45° with smooth surface preparation.

Three (3) samples were prepared for each of the following tests; Compressive Test

(ASTM C39), Slant Shear Test (ASTM C882), Slant Shear Test using the I-shaped

specimens and Direct Tension Test using MBSTA-RC. Having a total of twelve (12)

samples for the four tests methods.

The apparatus consists of stainless-steel shaft, angle bar and plumb bob as a

corrector. The apparatus height was 60 mm, a width of 230 mm and a thickness of 90 mm,

the claw’s length was 35 mm with an inclination of 45° degrees.

Definition of Terms

These are the terms to be encounter and frequently used to understand the process of

this research paper.

MBSTA-RC. Modified Bond Strength Test Apparatus with Rotational Corrector.

Bond Strength. Resistance to the separation of composite concrete.

Composite Concrete. Consists of two elements cast at different times.

Concrete. Is a mixture of water, aggregates and other materials that hardens over time.

Curing Period. Keeping the hydration process of cement with water until concrete attains

the maximum compressive strength (Prusty, 2016).

Direct Tensile Test. Direct tension test should yield a bond strength closer to the true

strength of the concrete under pure uniaxial tension.

Design Mix. The different proportions of cement, water, fine and coarse aggregates to

produce the concrete of required strength, durability and workability. (The Daily Civil,

2017)

Modified. It is a partial change used in the study to improve the bond strength test that will

be acquired on the UTM.

Slant Shear Test. This method follows the ASTM C882/C882M

Universal Testing Machine. The machine to be used in conducting the test for bond strength

test and compressive strength of materials.

Stress. The force per unit area applied to the material.

Shear Bond Strength. The strength of material against the type of yield or structural failure

when the material fails in shear.