ASTM D8337/D8337M-21 PDF Download

The ASTM D8337/D8337M-21 standard provides a procedure and apparatus for evaluating the bond properties of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite systems that are adhesively applied to a flat concrete substrate.

The test method is intended for use in a laboratory setting and is used to determine the plateau force (Ppl) that an FRP system can withstand before complete debonding from a concrete prism. The evaluation of the plateau force should be conducted under consistent environmental conditioning, either in an ambient laboratory or other consistent environmental conditions.

This test method allows for the determination of the effective bond length (leff) of the FRP composite if different bonded lengths are tested with a constant bonded width. The effective bond length is defined as the minimum bonded length required to achieve the bond capacity for the width of the FRP tested. Additionally, the test can also determine the variation of bond capacity with the bonded width, if different bonded widths are tested with a constant bonded length greater than the effective bond length.

The test involves measuring the applied force versus the loaded end slip of the composite with respect to the substrate using a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). This plot is used to determine the bond properties of the system.

Furthermore, this test method can be used for uniformly preparing and testing standard specimens suitable for environmental conditioning and subsequent evaluation of FRP-bonded-to-concrete system performance. Comparing the results obtained from identical specimens subjected to different environmental conditioning protocols can help evaluate the effects of environmental exposure on the bond performance of FRP systems.

It is important to note that this test method is not intended for job approval or product qualification purposes unless adopted by an external agency for those specific purposes. The test method can be used with adhesive-applied or wet lay-up FRP systems, regardless of the fiber orientation or combination of ply orientations of the FRP composite, although the test condition only considers forces in the direction parallel to the prism longitudinal axis.