Experiment Investigation on Pull-Off Strength between Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)-Concrete Interface under Marine Condition

• Main Author: AHMAD FAUZI, MASLAILY
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: IRC 2014
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/14561/1/FINAL%20DISSERTATION_Maslaily14400.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/14561/

For the past decades, extensive research and studies have been conducted on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite which is widely practiced for strengthening structures. FRP materials has been chosen in retrofitting of existing structures because FRP has higher strength-to-weight ratio and provides additional corrosion resistance, in comparing to conventional repair material such as steel. For this research purpose, concrete beams and slabs have been strengthened with carbon FRP to study the effect on marine environmental condition particularly in continuous immersion and wet-dry cyclic using salt water on the performance on the interfacial bond between FRP and concrete (substrate). However, due to debonding behaviour in long term performance and environment deterioration, the strengthening systems are remained largely uncertain and unanswered. The direct tension pull-off test has gained popularity as a test method used in the laboratory as well as in the field including at construction site or during inspection, in assessing the quality of bond between externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) repair materials. For this research purpose, a long-term durability study was conducted in the laboratory vis-à-vis to evaluate the behavior of the bond between the repairing material which is FRP and the substrate; concrete. Small concrete specimens, with no reinforcement bars have been prepared, externally reinforced with FRP material, and subjected to various environmental scenarios stimulated in laboratory which are wet-dry cycles as well as constant and continuous immersion in salt water. Direct tension pull-off tests and three-point flexural tests have been conducted on these specimens to determine degradation in bond strength over ageing time.