Short Kevlar Fiber Reinforcement at the Interface for Repair of Concrete

Abstract

Commercial concrete samples, tested under three-point-bending (3PB) test, are repaired with adhesive epoxy joint. Short Kevlar fiber is used together with the epoxy and hardener mixed resin to improve the fracture performance. Two different repairing methods are used, (a) with epoxy only, (b) with epoxy and short Kevlar fiber of 6 mm, and the experimental results of failure peak load are compared. The fracture energy is also measured. The short Kevlar fiber bridges the concrete fracture surfaces and epoxy joints, which requests a higher peak load or fracture energy. The interfacial fracture mechanism also alters because of the short Kevlar fiber. The fracture mechanisms of the concrete samples before and after repaired with the adhesive joint and Kevlar fiber are discussed.