Effects of Defects on Bond Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix Materials

High-strength fibers embedded in inorganic matrix i.e., Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Mortar materials (FRCM) are commonly used as strengthening technique for existing masonry structures, due to the low sensitivity to debonding phenomena between substrate and matrix. Nevertheless, the use of lime or cement-based matrix instead of epoxy adhesive implies that attention has to be paid to the bond behavior between the fibers and the matrix, since sliding phenomena and cohesive failures in the mortar matrix can occur. The paper aims to investigate the effect of the mechanical properties of fiber and matrix on the FRCM efficiency, and potential geometrical defects, typical of real applications. The aim is to analyze the mechanical behavior of the FRCM system by simulating hypothetical bond tests, as they are usually performed in laboratories. The bond test has a significant role, as it is used for the qualification of the material, providing sometimes very scattered results. Hence, it is particularly important and greatly discussed in the scientific community and among manufactures and practitioners. The purpose is to understand where this variability could derive from and possibly how to contain it, to improve the characterization of FRCM systems. A mechanical model has been proposed to simulate the usual bond test to focus and stress the way in which each fiber slips out of the matrix as the load increases; and this has been recognized as the main reason for scattered results in bond tests. The model was then applied to the typical cases of PBO-FRCM and Glass-FRCM, hence considering different ratios for the fiber and matrix properties.