Fire Performance of Bridge Members Retrofitted with Near-surface-mounted Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

This report presents a two-phase research program studying: (1) the interfacial response of near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips embedded along a concrete substrate at elevated temperatures, and (2) the behavior of NSM CFRP strips for strengthening concrete members subjected to thermomechanical distress (thermal and mechanical loads are applied simultaneously). In the first phase, two types of bonding agents are used: ordinary and high-temperature epoxies. Residual behavior of the interface, including the characteristics of individual constitutive materials, is examined when subjected to a temperature range varying from 25°C [77°F] to 200°C [392°F]. Test results reveal that residual strength of the concrete and CFRP is not influenced by thermal exposure; however, residual strength of the adhesive is affected. The performance of the interface bonded with ordinary epoxy is better than that of the high-temperature one without thermal distress. The latter becomes superior to the former with an increase in temperature. Interaction between the adhesive and concrete controls interfacial capacity and corresponding failure mode, rather than the individual strength of the materials. Probability-based simulation that complements limitation of the experimental investigation, in terms of sample numbers, was conducted to develop design factors. In the second phase, the focus of the research lies in examining temperature-dependent interfacial responses that control the performance of such a CFRP-strengthening system. An experimental investigation was conducted to study various technical aspects associated with the thermal relaxation, heat conduction, load-carrying capacity, failure mode, and damage characterization of the NSM CFRP-concrete interface. Analytical approaches were entailed to generate practical information that can promote use of CFRP-strengthening technologies, based on the two-parameter Weibull function and probability-based capacity simulation. The thermal relaxation of a polymeric bonding agent influenced the transfer of interfacial stresses, including the stress-decrease response time of the interface with temperature. Transient heat flow was apparent across the interface until the strengthening system failed due to the thermomechanical load. The failure plane of the interface was controlled by progression of heat energy in conjunction with the phase transition of the adhesive. The slip of the interface articulated a thermal hysteresis mechanism, when loaded cyclically. The characteristic parameters proposed aided the design of NSM CFRP systems exposed to elevated temperatures.

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  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Colorado, Denver

    Department of Civil Engineering
    1200 Larimer Street, P.O. Box 173364
    Denver, CO  United States  80217-3364

    Mountain-Plains Consortium

    North Dakota State University
    Fargo, ND  United States  58108

    Research and Innovative Technology Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Kim, Yail Jimmy
  • Publication Date: 2015-12

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 68p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01594693
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 15-303
  • Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: Mar 30 2016 9:46AM