scholarly journals Durability of Externally Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites in Concrete Structures: A Critical Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Jovan Tatar ◽  
Sandra Milev

Externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been in use in civil infrastructure for decades, but their long-term performance is still difficult to predict due to many knowledge gaps in the understanding of degradation mechanisms. This paper summarizes critical durability issues associated with the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for rehabilitation of concrete structures. A variety of factors that affect the longevity of FRP composites are discussed: installation, quality control, material selection, and environmental conditions. Critical review of design approaches currently used in various international design guidelines is presented to identify potential opportunities for refinement of design guidance with respect to durability. Interdisciplinary approaches that combine materials science and structural engineering are recognized as having potential to develop composites with improved durability.

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1412-1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Honarparast ◽  
Georges El-Saikaly ◽  
Omar Chaallal

A large number of existing buildings have seismic-resistant systems designed according to old code provisions. These structural systems exhibit non-ductile behavior and can present a significant risk in the case of a moderate or significant seismic event. Reinforced concrete–coupled shear walls designed to old codes and standards are among those deficient structures that need to be seismically upgraded. This article aims to investigate a new retrofitting and upgrading method using externally bonded carbon fiber–reinforced polymer composites for existing or/and damaged reinforced concrete coupling beams that can improve the seismic performance of them during earthquakes. To this end, an experimental test was conducted to evaluate the seismic behavior of two identical reinforced concrete–coupled shear wall specimens under reverse cyclic loading. To simulate the old existing building, the specimens were designed and constructed according to the old 1941 National Building Code of Canada with a conventionally reinforced coupling beam. One of the specimens was tested as a control, and the other was strengthened using externally bonded carbon fiber–reinforced polymer composites to evaluate the improvement in its seismic performance. Results show that the retrofit using externally bonded carbon fiber–reinforced polymer resulted in significant enhancement in strength and energy dissipation capacity compared to the conventionally reinforced coupling beam from the control specimen. In addition, externally bonded carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets resulted in much improved hysteretic and ductile behavior and in lesser strength and stiffness degradation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096739112098574
Author(s):  
Deepak Jain ◽  
Aviral Gupta ◽  
Sumit Mahajan

This paper presents the experimental self-healing investigations on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using a novel in-situ healing approach. During the preparation of polymer composites, the monomer Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) was embedded as the healing agent. The compartment hollow glass microcapillaries were used to serve the localized distribution of the healing agent. To determine the viability of the proposed microcapillary approach, several flexural tests were conducted to initiate the damage and subsequent realization of self-repair activity. The healing was initiated through the polymerization of DCPD in the presence of Grubb’s catalyst (first and second generation). Once healed, the specimens were tested cyclically to evaluate the recovery of flexural strength. A post-failure healing efficiency as high as 72% has been observed. SEM and XRD investigations have been conducted for the microstructural investigations. These investigations support the potential applications of the proposed concept of embedding the bulk with the microcapillaries.


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