Experimental studies have demonstrated that bond strength increases with an increase in the relative rib area bars under high confinement, but under low confinement, bond strength is independent of de- formation pattern. This study is intended to explain the nature…
Experimental studies have demonstrated that bond strength increases with an increase in the relative rib area bars under high confinement, but under low confinement, bond strength is independent of de- formation pattern. This study is intended to explain the nature of the wedging action of reinforced bars as they interact with concrete during bond failure. Analytical expressions to predict bond resistances for splitting fail- ure of cover by fracture and shearing failure are derived, in which the bearing angle is a key variable. As the bearing angle is decreased, the splitting bond resistance decreases while the shearing bond resistance in- creases. In the case of bars at a moderate level of confinement, the bearing angle is decreased to decrease the splitting resistance and to increase the shearing resistance. The bearing angle model is useful to better under- stand bond mechanisms between reinforcing bars and concrete.