An Experimental Study on the Bond–Slip Relationship between Rebar and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Grouted in Bellows

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)-filled duct connection is an innovative solution for joining assembled structures, in which the anchorage performance of the rebar and UHPC filled in bellows plays a critical role in determining the overall connection effectiveness. To establish a reliable anchorage length and a bond–slip relationship between rebar and UHPC within a bellow, a total of 16 specimens were conducted, and pullout tests were carried out. Two parameters were considered, including the diameter ratio (D/d), representing the proportion of the diameter of the bellow D to the diameter of the steel bar d, and anchorage length (L). By analyzing the failure modes, load versus deflection curves, and steel strain data, the influences of the diameter ratio and anchorage length on the anchorage performance were discussed. The test results showed that the failure mode changed from rebar pullout to rebar breakage as the anchorage length increased from 3 d to over 10 d. The reliable anchorage length of the rebar was recommended to be at least 10 d with a diameter ratio (D/d) of 2.4. Moreover, a fitting bond–slip model was proposed based on the experimental bond–slip curves between the rebar and UHPC interface within the bellows with high precision. These findings constitute a crucial basis for the comprehensive stress analysis of assembled structures connected using UHPC grouted in bellows.