Over recent years, the NSM FRP strengthening method has become an attractive alternative to the popular technique of externally bonded FRP plates/sheets. The behaviour of NSM FRP-to-masonry bonded joints is more complicated than that of externally bonded FRP-to-masonry as the former depends on many more parameters. The FRP bar may be embedded in an epoxy- or cementitious-based paste, which transfers stresses between the substrate and the bar. The previous testing results indicated that debonding failure was most common due to the brittle behaviour of the filling material which has caused some concerns of the method. The proposed research aimed at using ECC as groove filling material to improve the bond behaviour between FRP bar and the substrate. ECC belongs to the family of high performance fibre reinforced cementitious composites, featuring ultra-high ductility and excellent energy absorption. The project will include experimental testing on bond-slip behaviour of the composite and the testing results can also be used for the calibration of the theoretical. It is expected that a meso-scale finite element (FE) model will be developed.

• Centre for Future Materials
• School of Engineering and Built Environment

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Engineering

• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)
• Master of Research (MRES)