Bond strength of deformed steel bars embedded in geopolymer concrete

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is one of the best substitute materials for conventional concrete in construction. The conventional concrete provided by Portland cement has a detrimental influence on the environment during its production. In this study, the bond strength, which is an important structural property, of deformed steel bars with slag-based GPC was measured. In accordance with the ASTM C234 procedure, bond strength was measured on 18 specimens of slag-based GPC with three sizes of steel bars and different embedded lengths. Two groups of GPC specimens with different compressive strengths, which were cured under ambient conditions, were tested. The results indicated that the bar diameter has a great effect on the bond strength, and the bond strength behavior of the slag-based GPC is comparable with that of conventional concrete. The ACI-318 Code for the bond strength of ordinary Portland cement concrete can be used conservatively to determine the bond strength of the GPC reinforced with deformed steel bars.