Corrosion damage of reinforced concrete structures has become an extremely costly maintenance item throughout the world. Many of the structures affected are those in or near marine environments. An increasingly popular repair and rehabilitation method for these damaged structures is the application of a fiber-reinforced composite wrap to the concrete surface. The main objective of this project is to use electrochemical techniques to determine the corrosion conditions of components of a bridge structure before and after rehabilitation using a fiber-reinforced composite wrap. In addition, the performance monitoring of the bridge structure wrapped with a commercial system will be described. A laboratory test program has been developed to simulate cylindrical and rectangular components of the bridge system and this program will complement the field testing. The purpose of the laboratory program is to simulate field conditions and investigate the effects of a number of parameters considered important for corrosion control.
Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite materials have been used for years as a method of providing added strength and ductility to reinforced concrete structures. Fiber-reinforced composites are often made up of glass or carbon fibers in a polymer matrix such as epoxy or vinyl ester. FRP composite wrapping systems have been used extensively in seismic retrofits and for structural maintenance. FRPs are very appropriate materials for strengthening and repair of reinforced concrete structures in many situations. They are very durable materials and are especially effective in marine and salt environments. Use of FRPs has been limited by relatively high costs and by a lack of familiarity in the construction and engineering communities (Mufti, Erki, and Jaeger, 1991). However, with increasing availability of reliable data from laboratory and field testing, FRPs will become more widely accepted. High material costs may be offset by reduced construction time and ease of application.
