Characterization and applications in infrastructure of steel reinforced polymer and grout composites

The use of externally bonded steel reinforced polymer (SRP) and steel reinforced grout (SRG) is a promising new technology for increasing flexural, compressive, and shear capacities of infrastructure components, including reinforced concrete (RC) members and wood utility poles. The material constants for single-ply SRP and SRG were experimentally determined from coupon tensile tests and torsion tests. The flexural performance of RC beams with externally bonded SRP and SRG has been investigated experimentally using four-point bending. Analytical models based on the first-order and higher-order shear deformation theories have been developed to predict the behavior of the retrofitted RC beams. Comparisons between the analytical models and the experimental results show a good correlation for the mid-span deflection until the reinforcing steel reaches the plastic region. The application of longitudinal SRP or SRG strips to repair or strengthen electric transmission and distribution poles has been analytically modeled as well. The analytical method developed is based on the technical theory of beams and accounts for the natural taper of wood poles. The possibility of delamination of the SRP from the wood substrate was investigated experimentally. It appears based on the tests that delamination does not represent the principal mode of failure for a wooden beam retrofitted with SRP. Numerical results obtained imply that the reinforcement of wooden poles with SRP leads to an enhanced stiffness, reduced stresses and a restoration of the load carrying capacity of a damaged pole --Abstract, page iv