The effect of ribbed reinforcing bars location on their bond with high-performance concrete

This paper deals with the effect of reinforcing bars location on high-performance concrete–rebars bond. The results of research have proved that the increased distance of the reinforcement from the formwork bottom (a larger layer of concrete below the bar) decreases the bond. The physical bases of the phenomenon are related with a special form of bleeding in which process a portion of water is transported towards the upper surface of concrete mix. The modified microstructure and different mechanical properties of high-performance concrete result in the fact that the maximum bond differences between the area of “good” and “poor” bond conditions are much smaller than in normal concretes. Following the results of experimental research it can be stated that concrete-upper bars bond reduction quoted in standard guidelines is rather conservative. Therefore, it has been found advisable to determine new criteria of bond conditions assessment for high-performance concrete.