Integration of the bond behaviour into the numerical modelling and the design of mixed cement composite – concrete structures.

Composites are increasingly applied as alternative or additional external reinforcement in
concrete structures. The non-corroding reinforcement can solve the often occurring durability
issues in aggressive environments. This rising technology can also avoid the demolition and
new construction of existing concrete structures by strengthening and/or protecting them, or
even lead to the design of new lightweight concrete structures using a minimum amount of
material. As such, the research within this field contributes to a more sustainable construction
industry.

Cement composites are a firesafe alternative for polymer matrix composites in building
industry. Much research has already been performed on the development and characterisation
of cement composites with high mechanical capacities. Whereas the smart application of these
high performance cement composites as alternative of additional external reinforcement for
concrete structures is increasingly studied, the bond problem and accurate modelling of these
mixed cement composite - concrete structures remains unexplored.

This research aims to describe and numerically model the behaviour of cement composites
and concrete, the bond between both materials, and eventually entire mixed cement composite
- concrete structures. Evaluating, both numerically and experimentally, the impact of the
bond properties on the failure behaviour of these structures, this research will result in design
criteria preventing debonding failure.