Behavior of CFRP Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams in Corrosive Environment

This paper reports the test results of 11 reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and subjected to an aggressive environment. In this study, eight beams were cracked and repaired with CFRP sheets, while the remaining three beams were kept uncracked as a control. The beams were 150mm wide by 250mm deep by 2,400mm long and lightly reinforced with a reinforcement ratio of 0.6%. Two types of carbon FRP products were considered: Sheets and strips. In terms of environmental exposure, three beams were kept at room temperature and eight beams were subjected up to 300 wetting and drying cycles with deicing chemicals (3% NaCl). Following the exposure, the beams were tested to failure in four-point bending. In addition, nondestructive tests were performed to determine the corrosion rate, as well as destructive tests to determine chloride diffusion and reinforcing bar mass loss. Based on the findings of the study, the long-term effectiveness of the CFRP strengthened reinforced concrete in aggressive corrosive environments was established.