Effect of aggressive environments on strength of RC beams strengthened with composite laminates

An investigation to examine the durability of reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates is an ongoing research at King Sand University. A total of ninety-nine beam specimens were prepared for this study. The performance of these specimens was assessed through evaluating the flexural capacity and rigidity of the beams after placing them in different environments directly or indirectly with simulated field condition for a specified period of time. The specimens were divided into six categories which include controlled laboratory environment (unexposed category), outside environment (direct exposure to hot-dry field conditions), wet-dry normal water environment, wet-dry saline (Nacl) water environment, wet-dry alkaline (NaOH) environment, high temperature environment. Each category consisted of unretrofitted and retrofitted beams. Furthermore, some of the specimens of the hot-dry field exposure were coated with protection paint against ultra violet (UV) rays. The specimens of different wet-dry environments were exposed to a time cycle of two weeks inside the solution and two weeks outside the solution. For each category, except the high temperature one, the specimens were scheduled for flexural test at every six months. The specimens with high temperature exposure were scheduled for testing after 24 months period. The test results of the first part of the specimens, carded out after 6 and 12 months of exposure to different environmental conditions, show that none of the aforesaid environmental conditions has a noticeable influence on the flexural strength or rigidity of the beams