5.1 The behavior of the bond between concrete and FRP reinforcing bars is an important performance aspect that has been used in material specifications and design standards. This test method serves as a means for uniformly preparing specimens and testing FRP bar-to-concrete bond, and for providing a standard method to calculate, evaluate and report bond strength.

5.2 This test method for measuring bond strength by pullout testing is intended for use in laboratory tests in which the principal variable is the size or type of FRP bars.

Note 1: This test method should not be used to establish design bond values and development lengths for FRP bars embedded in concrete, as it does not represent the state of bond stress observed in concrete flexural members reinforced with FRP bars. See Test Method A944 for a beam-end test configuration, used for determining bond stress in steel bars.

5.3 This test method is intended to determine the bond behavior for material specifications, research and development. The bond behavior will be specimen-configuration dependent, which may affect both analysis and design. The primary test result is the bond strength of the specimen to normal weight concrete.

5.4 This test method may also be used to determine the conformance of a product or a treatment to a requirement relating to its effect on the bond developed between FRP bar and concrete. The result obtained from this test method should be used only for comparative purposes to compare parameters or variables of bond strength. The method may be used as part of a protocol to establish long-term environmental effects on bond to concrete, including environmental reduction factors for FRP bars embedded in concrete.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bond strength of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bars used as reinforcing bars or pre-stressing tendons in concrete.

1.2 Two procedures for casting test specimens are provided. The first procedure aligns the bar with the concrete casting direction. The second procedure aligns the bar’s transverse to the concrete casting direction.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.