Effect of Severe Environmental Exposures on CFRP Wrapped Concrete Columns |
| |
Authors: | Raafat El-Hacha Mark F. Green Gordon R. Wight |
| |
Affiliation: | 1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 (corresponding author). E-mail: relhacha@ucalgary.ca 2Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Queen’s Univ., Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6. 3Associate Professor and Head, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box. 17000, STN FORCES, Kingston, ON, Canada K7K 7B4.
|
| |
Abstract: | Deterioration of concrete structures caused by corrosion of reinforcing steel, aging, and weathering is a major problem in harsh environments such as coastal areas and cold regions. In addition, a hot environment, such as in the Arabian Gulf, is recognized as one of the most severe and aggressive environments that affects concrete durability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of strengthening plain concrete cylinders, subjected to extreme temperature variations, by wrapping with two layers of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. Thirty-six plain concrete cylinders (150×300?mm) were tested. Nine specimens served as unstrengthened controls and the remaining cylinders were strengthened with two layers of CFRP sheets. Cylinders were subjected to high temperatures (45°C), to heating and cooling cycles (23 to 45°C), and to prolonged heat exposure (45°C). Some of the cylinders that were subjected to heating and cooling, were later subjected to freezing and thawing cycles, while others were submerged in fresh water or salt water. The specimens were loaded to failure under uniaxial compressive load and the axial and lateral deformations were monitored. High temperature exposure was not found to decrease the strength of the wrapped concrete cylinders. |
| |
Keywords: | Concrete columns Compressive strength Durability Ductility Confinement Fiber reinforced polymers Temperature effects |
|
|