CFRP Repair of RC Beams with Shear-Span and Full-Span Corrosions

Abstract

This paper presents experimental and analytical results of a study conducted to investigate the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates to rehabilitate shear-span and full-span corrosion-damaged RC beams. Fifteen RC beams were fabricated and were divided into three groups: control, shear-span, and full-span corrosions. The control beam was kept uncorroded and unstrengthened while the remaining 14 beams were corroded. One-half of the corroded beams were repaired with CFRP laminates, while the other one-half was tested without repair. Corrosion was induced in the tension steel reinforcement at a theoretical mass loss of 5, 10, and 15% using an accelerated technique. Test results showed that shear-span corrosion had a negligible influence on the flexural capacity, while full-span corrosion caused significant reductions up to 23% and 12% in the yield and ultimate capacity, respectively. The ductility of all corroded beams increased in comparison to the uncorroded unstrengthened beam (control). Repairing the corroded RC beams with CFRP laminates increased the flexural yield load and ultimate capacity by 19 and 50%, respectively, compared to the control beam. An analytical model based on section analysis, including the effect of steel reinforcement corrosion, was developed and compares well with the experimental results.