Abstract:
The aim of this research is to apply the geopolymer paste as the bonding agent between a
reinforcing steel bar and concrete as well as studying the time-dependent property, which is the
durability of bonding strength under sustained and cyclic loadings. The test specimens were
prepared by casting the l5x15x15 cm3 concrete cubic, drilling 12 mm diameter and 80 mm depth
hole through the concrete, embedding the 10 mm deformed bar in the hole and using the
geopolymer paste as a bonding agent to bond reinforcing steel with concrete. Three mixtures of
geopolymer paste were used with 18 M NaOH and sodium silicate to NaOH ratio of 2.5 by weight
with various binders, which were fly ash (FA) to silica fume (SF) ratio of 60:40, fly ash to rice hush
bark ash (RHBA) ratio of 60:40, and pure FA, respectively. Bonding strength between the deformed
bar and concrete were determined at ages of 1 3 7 28 and 90 days, respectively, while the durability
of bonding strength was examined at the ages of28 days.
The test results indicated that the bonding strength of mixture at 1 day with FA:SF ratio of 60:40
was 12.7 MPa, which was higher than that of the control concrete (12.3 MPa at 28 days). For other
mixtures, the curing date of 7 days was necessary for the strength development. For creep and
fatigue behavior, geopolymer paste presented lower durability under sustained and cyclic loads in
comparison with control concrete, especially in high load levels. However, the durability of
geopolymer paste was acceptable when the load level was lower than 30% of ultimate bonding
strength. Therefore, this value can be used as a design load when the geopolymer paste is applied as
a bonding agent between a rebar and concrete.