IN-PLACE STRENGTHENING, REPAIR OR UPGRADE OF CONCRETE CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES USING FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories, in partnership with the Composites Institute, has initiated a cooperative research project to develop, test, and demonstrate fiber reinforced composite materials systems for in-place strengthening, repair or upgrade of existing concrete civil engineering structures. The goal of this research is the development of fiber reinforced polymer composite material systems for the repair and/or upgrading of concrete columns, beams and decking used in civil engineering structures. The mechanical and physical requirements and cost targets for repair and upgrade materials systems for concrete structures will be established. Preliminary designs for a family of advanced composite material systems will be developed to meet these targets. Laboratory test specimens will then be fabricated and tested. Based on the results of the initial tests, the most promising systems will be further developed and tested. The best composite repair and upgrade systems will be demonstrated on concrete structural members at selected facilities and evaluated for both short- and long-term performance. This paper provides a detailed description of the project, including current project status and results.