Durability of Reinforced Concrete Beams Externally Strengthened with CFRP Laminates under Harsh Climatic Conditions
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 25, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper addresses the durability of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates under natural and saline environments in the Arabian Gulf. Beam specimens were conditioned under sunlight and saline water for 180, 360, and 730 days and tested under four-point bending until failure. The load–deflection curves, strains, failure modes, ductility, and stiffness of the exposed beams were evaluated. The CFRP-strengthened specimens exhibited a 67% higher ultimate load capacity than control specimens after 28 days and up to 51% and 71% higher load capacity than control specimens after two years of direct sunlight and saline water exposure, respectively. No pronounced loss in strength and stiffness or damage to the epoxy was observed. Failure modes were transformed from cohesive to adhesive due to saline water exposure, whereas sunlight-exposed samples exhibited no failure-pattern change, and failures remained cohesive or interfacial. For design and analysis, environmental strength reduction factors are proposed and compared to current industry guidelines. Thus, CFRP-strengthened laminates can endure and perform effectively when subjected to severe environments of high salinity, temperature, and humidity.
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Acknowledgments
The funding for this research was provided by the National Priorities Research Program of the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation) under award no. NPRP 8-418-2-175. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sponsor.
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Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 25 • Issue 2 • April 2021
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This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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Received: Jun 5, 2020
Accepted: Nov 18, 2020
Published online: Jan 21, 2021
Published in print: Apr 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jun 21, 2021
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