Concrete Chloride Ingress: Effect Of FRP Type, Layers And Epoxy

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to reduce the chloride ingress in concrete due to the effects of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) type, layers and Epoxy. It has been established from previous researches that FRP wrap used to retrofit concrete structures offer a high resistance to chemical solutions but in this case study different variables like FRP, layers of FRP and only epoxy are used to know the resistance of concrete structures to chemical solutions. The ACI 318-11 Code allows for a reduction of clear cover depth if an equivalent clear cover depth can be establish. The FRP used in my research are Tyfo SCH-41 composite fabricated with carbon fibers and Tyfo WEB composites fabricated with glass fibers. The epoxy used in this study is Tyfo S, which is compromised in to two component (component A and component B). The Tyfo S epoxy matrix material is combined with the Tyfo fabrics to provide a wet-layup composite system for strengthening structural members. The wrapped FRP specimens, epoxy coated specimens and control specimens without FRP wrapping and epoxy coating were tested according to ASTM C1543 and ASTM C1152. The surfaces of samples wrapped with FRP, layers of FRP, epoxy coated samples and normal control specimens are exposed to sodium chloride solution (ponding process) for 16 weeks. At the end of ponding process, samples are made dry and powdered samples are collected at different depths (based on ACI and AASHTO minimum cover requirements) to determine the percentage of chloride in each specimen using the ASTM C1152 method.