Performance of FRCM composites and FRCM-strengthened RC beams subjected to anodic polarization and cyclic loading

Abstract

Fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) systems can provide structural strengthening (SS) of aging reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Furthermore, impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) has been integrated with FRCM systems to develop ICCP-SS intervention systems to help improve the long-term performance of FRCM-strengthened RC structures. However, there is a lack of research regarding the fatigue performance of FRCM composites and FRCM-strengthened RC members. This study investigated the effects of fabric layers in carbon-FRCM, anodic polarization in the process of ICCP, and cyclic loading conditions on the fatigue performance of FRCM composites in tension and FRCM-strengthened RC beams in flexure. Cyclic tensile loading tests of FRCM specimens and cyclic four-point bending tests of beam specimens were conducted. Cyclic tensile test results showed that the fatigue life performance of FRCM was superior to that of steel rebar and inferior to that of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP, a composite that commonly has an epoxy resin matrix). The anodic polarization of ICCP degraded the fatigue life of carbon-FRCM at a given stress level and fatigue strength after two million loading cycles. The cyclic bending test results indicated that the fatigue performance of the beams was largely dependent on the number of fabric layers in the FRCM and slightly influenced by the anodic polarization in the ICCP-SS. A new curve of the steel stress range versus the number of cycles (S-N curve) for FRCM-strengthened beams was obtained in this study and provided satisfactory fatigue life predictions.