Effectiveness of bond strength between normal concrete as substrate and latex-modified sand concrete reinforced with sisal fibers as a repair material

This study investigated the use of latex-modified sand concrete reinforced with sisal fibers (LMSC) as a repair material. Notably, no prior research has explored the application of LMSC for this purpose. This paper examines the interface bond strength and the type of failure between LMSC as a repair material and the normal concrete (NC) substrate utilising four different surfaces: without surface preparation as a reference (SR), hand hammer (HA), sandblasted (SB), and grooved (GR). The bond strength was measured by bi-surface shear, splitting tensile, and pull-off strength tests at 7, 28, and 90 days. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was also performed to study the microstructure of the interface between the normal concrete substrate and the latex-modified sand concrete reinforced with sisal fibers. The results of this study indicate that LMSC has bonding strength with NC, especially for HR and SB surfaces with high roughness. Therefore, substrate NC surface roughness is essential in increasing the bonding strength and adhesion. Eventually, The LMSC has the potential to repair and rehabilitate concrete structures.