Influence of interfacial characteristics on the shear bond behaviour between concrete and ferrocement

•Shear bond behaviour between concrete and ferrocement is experimentally studied.•Surface roughness of concrete is the key factor affecting shear bond behaviour.•Shear keys enhance post-peak bond behaviour at concrete-ferrocement interface.•Adhesive shear keys provide more reliable resistance to shear than expansive shear keys.•Wire mesh alleviates stress concentration and avoids failure of ferrocement.