Size Effect on the Bond Behavior of Grouted Reinforcing Bars Embedded in Light-weight Concrete

This study presents experimentally the bond behavior of light-weight concrete specimens with grouted reinforcing bars in comparison with conventional concrete specimens. A total of (9) pull-out specimens were studied; (3) specimens of conventional concrete, (3) specimens of light-weight concrete, and other (3) specimens of grouted light-weight concrete. Two variables are adopted in this investigation: specimen width and type of concrete (conventional concrete, light-weight concrete and grouted light-weight concrete). The study contains a discussion of the general behavior of the specimens in addition to the study of the ultimate bond capacity, maximum bond stresses and the relationship between the stress and the slip for different pull-out specimens. Results show that bond strength is highest for the largest specimen size (bond strength of grouted light-weight concrete specimen with specimen width 400 mm is higher than that of the specimen with (200 mm) width by about (13.13%)). Also, bond strength is highest for the grouted light-weight concrete specimen (bond strength of grouted light-weight concrete specimen is higher than conventional concrete specimen by (11.11%)).