Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns Wrapped with Fiber Reinforced Polymers
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 7, Issue 2
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of new bridge columns wrapped with fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) when exposed to aggressive environmental conditions. This has been accomplished through field monitoring and laboratory tests. As part of the field monitoring, temperature data were collected at various locations of bridge columns. In addition, visual inspection of two bridges was performed periodically for over a period of two years. No evidence of deterioration of the FRP wraps was detected during that period. Laboratory tests were performed to investigate how FRP wraps protect reinforced concrete columns from corrosion, and freeze–thaw laboratory tests were conducted to study the impact of temperature cycles on the mechanical behavior of FRP-wrapped columns. From the corrosion experimental tests, it was found that FRP provides excellent protection against aggressive agents (salty water or moisture) even when a single layer is used. Compression tests were conducted on specimens subjected to freeze–thaw cycles. It was found that minor thermal cycles have no effect on the performance of FRP-wrapped concrete specimens. However, for large thermal cycles, some degradation of ductility in the axial and the hoop directions was observed.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Bentur, A., Diamond, S., and Berke, N. S. (1997). Steel corrosion in concrete: Fundamentals and civil engineering practice. E&FN SPON, London, 201.
Broomfield, J. P. (1997). Corrosion of steel in concrete: Understanding, investigation, and repair. E & FN SPON, London.
Broomfield, J. P., Rodriguez, J., Ortega, L. M., and Garcia, A. M. (1993). “Corrosion rate measurement and life prediction for reinforced concrete structures.” Proc., 5th Conf. Structural Faults and Repair, M. C. Forde, ed., Engineering Technics Press, 2, 155–163.
Demers, M., and Neale, K. W.(1999). “Confinement of reinforced concrete columns with fiber-reinforced composite sheets-An experimental study.” Can. J. Civ. Eng., 26(2), 226–241.
Karbhari, V. M., and Eckel, D. A.(1994). “Effect of cold regions climate on composite jacketed concrete columns.” J. Cold Reg. Eng., 8(3), 73–86.
Karbhari, V. M., and Eckel, D. A.(1995). “Effects of short-term environmental exposure on axial strengthening capacity of composite jacketed concrete.” J. Compos. Technol. Res., 17(2), 99–106.
Karbhari, V. M., Rivera, J., and Dutta, P. K.(2000). “Effect of short-term freeze–thaw cycling on composite confined concrete.” J. Compos. Constr., 4(4), 191–197.
Lan, Y. M., Sotelino, E. D., and Chen, W. F. (1998). “State-of-the-art review of highway bridge columns retrofitted with FRP jackets.” Structural Engineering Rep. No. CE-STR-98-5, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, Ind.
Langford, P., and Broomfield, J. P.(1987). “Monitoring the corrosion of reinforcing steel.” Constr. Repair, 1(2), 32.
Mehta, P. K., and Monteiro, P. J. M. (1993). Concrete: Microstructure, properties, and materials. 2nd Ed. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
Rivera, J., Karbhari, V. M., and Dutta, P. K.(1999). “Effect of extended freeze–thaw exposure on composite wrapped concrete cylinders.” Proc. Int. SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, 44(2), 2231–2239.
Soudki, K. A., and Green, M. F. (1996). “Performance of CFRP Retrofitted Concrete Columns at Low Temperatures,” Proc., 2nd Int. Conf., on Advanced Composite Materials in Bridges and Structures, Montreal, 11–14 August, 427–434.
Soudki, K. A., and Green, M. F.(1997). “Freeze–thaw response of CFRP wrapped concrete.” Concr. Int., 19(8), 64–67.
Toutanji, H. A., and Balaguru, P.(1998). “Durability characteristics of concrete columns wrapped with FRP tow sheets.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 10(1), 52–57.
Vassie, P. R. (1989). “A survey of site tests for the assessment of corrosion in reinforced concrete.” Transport Research Laboratory, Rep. L. R. No. 953, U.K.
Woods, H. (1968). “Durability of concrete construction.” ACI and The Iowa State University Press, ACI, Detroit.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 30, 2001
Accepted: Apr 24, 2002
Published online: Apr 15, 2003
Published in print: May 2003
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.