Analysis of the main aspects affecting bonding in stainless steel rebars embedded in a hydraulic medium

The use of stainless steel rebars to reinforce masonry structures has become established as an eminently efficient methodology. From among the numerous techniques available, bed-joint structural repointing and superficial reinforcement with rebars or meshes attached to surfaces have become widespread, thanks to the excellent results they have produced in recent decades. Both techniques imply the use of diameters less than 6 mm and thin coverings. This article deals with the characterization of the bonding behavior of the rebar under these special circumstances. To this end, several finite element analyses have been carried out to identify the possible relationships between pull-out forces in various situations. These models allow certain conclusions to be drawn regarding the influence of the thickness of covering, boundary conditions, and geometrical aspects of the rebars in bonding. Certain mathematical expressions that relate the various conclusions from this research are finally laid out.