| Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures was investigated in this study. Chloride ingress from deicing salts is the major factor that causes damage of highway bridges and parking structures. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) has superior properties, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, corrosion resistance, and flexibility of application. The effectiveness of FRP wraps on repairing corrosion damaged concrete structures was researched.; Four large-scale circular columns (300mm x 1200mm) wrapped with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets were continuously corroded under an aggressive environment. The columns were cast with NaCl contaminated concrete in the outer 75m thick ring. Two of them were treated with Electrochemical Chloride Extraction (ECE), and the remaining two columns were not ECE treated. The total duration of the experiment was from December 2001 to May 2004. Corrosion monitoring showed that CFRP wraps reduced the corrosion activity in the columns. ECE treatment reduced chloride contents and the CFRP wraps kept chlorides, oxygen, and water from penetrating. Thus, ECE treated columns maintained low levels of corrosion activity. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
