Accelerated corrosion and repair of reinforced concrete columns using carbon fibre reinforced polymer sheets

An experimental study on the simulation of corrosion in large-scale reinfor ced concrete columns and their repair using carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets is presented. Seven columns were subjected to an accelerated corrosion regime, wrapped using CFRP sheets, then tested to structural fai lure and (or) subjected to further post-repair accelerated corrosion, monit oring, and testing. Accelerated corrosion was achieved by adding sodium chl oride to the mixing water, applying a current to the reinforcement cage, an d subjecting the specimens to cyclic wetting and drying. Results showed tha t the CFRP repair greatly improved the strength of the repaired member and retarded the rate of post-repair corrosion. Moreover, subjecting the repair ed column to extensive, post-repair corrosion resulted in no loss of streng th or stiffness and only a slight reduction in the ductility of the repaire d member.