An experimental investigation of bond strength and characteristics of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) bars in concrete beams has been conducted at the University of Windsor. A total of twenty-eight concrete T-beams reinforced with CFRP bars was tested statically as simply supported beams. Three types of CFRP bars were used and three different parameters affecting bond characteristics were considered in the test program, namely (1) pressure induced on the bar due to support condition, (2) embedment length and (3) transverse reinforcement. Results indicated that the average bond strength of the three types of CFRP bars varied from each other and depended primarily on their surface conditions. It was found that the tensile force in the CFRP bars increased when the bond length increased, but the average bond strength decreased when the bond length increased. Confinement provided by transverse reinforcement increased the average bond strength of CFRP bars and the average bond strength varied as fc\u27 when other factors were constant. However, the results gave no satisfactory information about the influences of support conditions on bond strength. It has also been concluded that the expressions for development length and bond strength of conventional steel reinforcing bar provided in the CSA and ACI codes cannot be directly applied for the use of CFRP bars due to their inherent physical and mechanical properties. Preliminary expressions for bond strength of the three types of CFRP bars were developed, as well as expressions for development length depending on the types of CFRP bars.Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2000 .L54. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-03, page: 0747. Advisers: George Abdel-Sayed; Murty K. S. Madugula. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2000
