This study addresses the complexity and high cost associated with traditional temporary formwork in post-cast strips. An innovative use of fish-scale mesh as a permanent interface material is proposed. This material serves as both construction framework and a connector during the service phase. The study investigates the enhancement mechanism of fish-scale mesh on the interfacial bond between new and old concrete. A multi-parameter experimental framework combined with full-field strain measurement was employed. Three specimen types with varying hole heights and numbers were designed and fabricated. Macro-mechanical properties were evaluated through double-shear and splitting-tensile tests. The interfacial strain field was quantified with high precision and visual clarity using Digital Image-Correlation (DIC) technology. Results show that introducing fish-scale mesh alters the interface failure mode. In mesh-free specimens, failure occurs through brittle interfacial delamination. With fish-scale mesh, failure transitions to ductile rupture within the concrete body. The number of holes has the greatest effect on shear strength, followed by hole height. Among all configurations, the fish-scale mesh with a hole height of 6 mm and 30 holes demonstrated the best performance. The shear strength and splitting strength increase by about 32% and 13%, respectively, compared to mesh-free specimens. Based on experimental results and theoretical derivation, a shear-bearing capacity formula for the fish-scale mesh interface is proposed. This model innovatively incorporates the shear key area of the fish-scale mesh, along with weakening and disturbance coefficients derived from experimental data. The theoretical model was validated against experimental results, showing a good agreement and supporting the use of fish-scale mesh as a permanent interface material.
Zhang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.