Evaluating the Bond Performance of Conventional and Polymer-Modified Repair Mortars on Variously Prepared Concrete Substrates

Nurdeen Altwair; Muatamed Ben Taher; Ali Abuzgaia; Mohammed Al-Noairi; Bdulmottaleb Bin Salim; Abduraouf Abuthina; Mustafa Al-Tayeb

doi:10.46604/peti.2026.16265

Authors

Nurdeen Altwair Department of Civil Engineering, El-Mergib University, Al-Khums, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2076-0832
Muatamed Ben Taher Civil Engineering Department, College of Technical Sciences, Misrata, Libya
Ali Abuzgaia Department of Civil Engineering, El-Mergib University, Al-Khums, Libya
Mohammed Al-Noairi Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
Bdulmottaleb Bin Salim Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
Abduraouf Abuthina Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Azzaytuna University, Tarhunah, Libya
Mustafa Al-Tayeb Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9451-3277

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46604/peti.2026.16265

Keywords:

bond strength, concrete substrate, surface preparation, polymer-modified mortar

Abstract

The long-term performance of repaired concrete structures depends fundamentally on the quality of their constituent materials and interfaces. This study aims to investigate the bond between existing concrete substrates and new repair materials. A systematic experimental program is conducted to evaluate the integrated bond performance of conventional and polymer-modified mortars applied to concrete substrates with three surface preparation conditions (as-cast, wire brushing, and sandblasting). The interfacial behavior is assessed under slant shear, indirect tensile, and four-point bending tests. The results demonstrate that mechanical surface preparation is the dominant factor governing interfacial bond efficiency, with sandblasting consistently providing the greatest improvement. In contrast, polymer modification has a negligible effect on slant shear capacity but profoundly improves flexural bond strength. Overall, sandblasting is essential for achieving durable structural joints, while polymer modification prevents bond failure under significant flexural or tensile stresses, ensuring structural longevity.

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