Off-campus University of Miami users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your University of Miami CaneID and Password.

Non-University of Miami users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.

Publication Date

2015-07-27

Availability

UM campus only

Embargo Period

2017-07-27

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (Engineering)

Date of Defense

2015-06-24

First Committee Member

Antonio Nanni

Second Committee Member

Francisco J. De Caso y Basalo

Third Committee Member

Marco Savoia

Abstract

The strengthening of deficient or damaged buildings with externally bonded (EB) FRP composites is a technique confirmed in terms of bearing capacity increase. Nevertheless, the lack of durability characterization of FRP composites when exposed to aggressive environments represents an obstacle to the total acceptance of the use of FRP in structural repairs. The main objective of this study is to provide a better understanding of the importance of the durability assessment. The objective is to address knowledge gaps about long-term performance in existing guidelines, which results in an incomplete understanding of which parameters affect the longevity of structures repaired with FRP. Carbon fiber and polymer-based resin specimens characterized by a different fiber and resin type were prepared and tested in the Structure and Materials Laboratory at University of Miami. Tests to characterize the FRP systems were based on the Acceptance Criteria (AC) 125. The research effort includes: tensile and shear bond tests with a concrete substrate. Specimens were exposed to different environments: (I) water, (II) saltwater, (III) alkali, (IV) dry heat, (V) freeze-thaw and a comparison between conditioned specimens and benchmark coupons was performed. Finally, a refinement of the current environmental reduction factors, presently reported in US guidelines, is proposed based on statistical analysis of the laboratory data and a comparison with findings available in literature.

Keywords

Externally Bonded CFRP; Durability; Accelerated Conditioning

Download

Share

COinS