Underwater Fiber–Reinforced Polymers Repair of Prestressed Piles in the Allen Creek Bridge
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 9, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of a demonstration project in which corroding prestressed piles located in tidal waters were wrapped underwater using carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymer material. An innovative instrumentation scheme was developed to allow assessment of the prewrap and postwrap corrosion state using linear polarization. This system is simple to install and eliminates the need for wiring or junction boxes. The underwater wrap used a unique water-activated urethane resin system that eliminated the need for cofferdam construction. Linear polarization measurements taken before and after wrapping indicate that the corrosion rate in the wrapped specimens is consistently lower than those in its unwrapped counterpart. These preliminary findings are encouraging and suggest that underwater wrapping without cofferdam construction may provide a cost-effective solution for pile repair.
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Acknowledgments
This study was performed in cooperation and with funding from the State of Florida and U.S. Department of Transportation. This support is gratefully acknowledged. The assistance and guidance of Mr. Jose Garcia and Mr. Steve Womble from the Florida Department of Transportation is gratefully acknowledged. The writers are indebted to Air Logistics, Pasadena, CA, for their assistance throughout this study. They especially thank Mr. Franz Worth and Mr. Steve Bazinet, who participated in the laboratory demonstration and also in the field wrap. The writers thank graduate students Mr. Ivan Gualtero, Mr. Kevin Johnson, Mr. Mike Stokes, and Mr. Kadir Uslu for their contribution.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Florida or U.S. Departments of Transportation.
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History
Received: Dec 2, 2003
Accepted: Mar 23, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005
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