Structural performance of corroded RC beams repaired with CFRP sheets

• Published in: Composite structures Vol. 92; no. 8; pp. 1931 - 1938
• Main Authors: Al-Saidy, A.H., Al-Harthy, A.S., Al-Jabri, K.S., Abdul-Halim, M., Al-Shidi, N.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Advanced composite materials; Applied sciences; Beams (structural); Building failures (cracks, physical changes, etc.); Building structure; Buildings. Public works; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; CFRP sheets; Composites; Construction (buildings and works); Corrosion; Corrosion mechanisms; Damage; Durability. Pathology. Repairing. Maintenance; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Metals. Metallurgy; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Rehabilitation; Reinforced concrete; Reinforced concrete structure; Reinforcement; Reinforcing steels; Retrofitting; Strength; Strengthening; Technology of polymers; Strengthening; Rehabilitation; Corrosion; CFRP sheets; Retrofitting; Advanced composite materials; Service life; Chemical degradation; Metal; Steel; Experimental study; Composite material; Reinforced concrete; Concrete construction; Fibre reinforced plastics; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Repair; Damaging
• ISSN: 0263-8223; 1879-1085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2010.01.001

Corrosion of reinforcement is a serious problem and is the main cause of concrete structures deterioration costing millions of dollars even though the majority of such structures are at the early age of their expected service life. This paper presents the experimental results of damaged/repaired reinforced concrete beams. The experimental program consisted of reinforced concrete rectangular beam specimens exposed to accelerated corrosion. The corrosion rate was varied between 5% and 15% which represents loss in cross-sectional area of the steel reinforcement in the tension side. Corroded beams were repaired by bonding carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets to the tension side to restore the strength loss due to corrosion. Different strengthening schemes were used to repair the damaged beams. Test results showed detrimental effect of corrosion on strength as well as the bond between steel reinforcement and the surrounding concrete. Corroded beams showed lower stiffness and strength than control (uncorroded) beams. However, strength of damaged beams due to corrosion was restored to the undamaged state when strengthened with CFRP sheets. On the other hand, the ultimate deflection of strengthened beams was less than ultimate deflection of un-strengthened beams.