Study of the effectiveness of anchorages applied to SRG strips bonded to masonry blocks

Steel reinforced grout (SRG) is considered part of the broader family of fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites employed to strengthen and retrofit concrete and masonry structures. The main advantages are low cost of the fibers, excellent resistance to high temperatures, and compatibility with different types of support. As premature debonding is the main failure mode of these composites, an anchorage system can be required to improve the bond capacity, i.e. the maximum force transferable between the composite and the substrate. This paper presents the results of single-lap shear tests carried out to study the effectiveness of two different anchorage systems: 1) a separate spike that interacts with the bonded strip; and 2) an extension of the fibers of the SRG strip that are inserted into the masonry block. Test results demonstrate that bond behavior of the SRG strip is positively affected by both types of anchorage systems.