Performance Evaluation of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Repaired Beams Under Corrosive Environmental Conditions

Abstract

This paper presents results of an experimental study designed to evaluate the performance of reinforced concrete beams repaired with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets under corrosive environmental conditions. A total of 16 beams, 152 x 254 x 3200 mm each, were tested. One beam was used as a control while 15 beams were initially corroded electrochemically for 50 days that corresponded to approximately 9% steel mass loss. Following the initial corrosion, one beam was tested to failure while 14 beams were repaired with a flexural CFRP sheet along with a continuous wrapping or an intermittent wrapping. Following repair, two repaired beams were tested to failure while 12 beams were subjected to additional corrosion exposure for up to 310 days that corresponded to a maximum steel mass loss of approximately 34%. Six beams were exposed to additional corrosion under a sustained load to simulate a service condition. Test results showed that the beams of intermittent wrapping had a higher steel mass loss rate and thus a lower strength than the beams of continuous wrapping. The presence of the sustained load and associated flexural cracks during the post-repair corrosion exposure slightly increased the steel mass loss rate, which further reduced the beam yield load but it had no noticeable effect on the beam ultimate strength.