The bond-versus-slip characteristics of deformed reinforcing steel bar
s embedded in slurry-infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) were determin
ed for different values of bar embedment length, net concrete cover, c
ompressive strength of SIFCON, and bar diameter. Measurements included
bar tension force, slip at free and loaded ends of the bar, and steel
and concrete strain distributions along the bar embedment length. Cra
ck patterns were monitored and modes of bond failure were observed. It
is observed that SIFCON leads to a significant increase in average bo
nd stress, bond stiffness, and pullout work of bars when compared not
only to plain concrete but to highly confined concrete. Average bond s
tresses as high as 2500 psi (17.25 MPa) were measured, while maximum p
ullout forces were maintained for slips 10 times larger than those obs
erved for plain concrete. The initial bond stiffness was 250 and 150 p
ercent that of plain and confined concrete, respectively, while total
pullout work was more than twice and 20 times that observed for plain
and confined concrete, respectively. Everything else being equal, the
average bond stress of reinforcing steel bars embedded in SIFCON incre
ased with an increase in the compressive strength of SIFCON and the co
ncrete cover and decreased with an increase in bar diameter.