Interface durability of construction materials externally reinforced with FRP composites

Abstract

This chapter presents a comprehensive study on service performance and fracture of construction materials externally reinforced with fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites. The durability and service performance of FRP wood interface bonds are evaluated using modified ASTM D2559. Interface fracture toughness data, under both dry and wet conditions, are experimentally obtained by an innovative contoured double cantilever beam (CDCB) specimen. The interface behavior of FRP-concrete assemblies is preliminarily evaluated under Mode-I fracture. To improve the performance and durability of the structures that are built of conventional construction materials (for example, wood and concrete), FRP composites are increasingly being used as reinforcement for wood and concrete. Current applications of wood reinforcement have focused on the use of FRP strips or fabrics bonded to wood members. Two types of FRP-wood reinforcements are applied: FRP strips (plates) bonded to wood (used commercially for glulam timber beams) and wood cores wrapped with FRP by filament winding (being investigated for reinforcement of railroad wood crossties or wood utility poles).