FRP protection and rehabilitation of corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete columns

Abstract

The results of two complementary experimental investigations on the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps for the protection and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete columns are presented. The first study consists of reinforced concrete cylinders with axial steel reinforcement subjected to accelerated corrosion, and an assessment of the FRP protection that can be provided by three types of FRP wrap (glass, carbon and aramid). This study also includes a comparison with results for two conventional protective systems (siloxane and polymer concrete). In the second study, on concrete columns with both axial and spiral reinforcement, an accelerated corrosion process is developed and applied to induce overall corroded conditions similar to those encountered in the field. The effects of FRP wrapping on restoring strength losses due to steel corrosion, and on arresting further corrosion damage, are investigated.