IMPROVING THE BOND CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRAND EMBEDDED IN A CEMENTITIOUS MATRIX

Abstract

This paper shows a preparation and manufacturing technique which improves the overall load carrying capacity of a strand/fine grained concrete matrix system by improving the bond and thus the load transfer between the inner filaments of the strand. A cement paste based on ultra fine grained cement is used before the actual placing of the strand in the surrounding fine grained concrete to achieve a more homogeneous penetration of the strand by cement particles. This in turn enhances the inner bonding characteristics important to the overall load carrying capacity of the system.