FRP composite systems for concrete structure repair and strengthening-draft of a HITEC evaluation plan

摘要

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) systems comprising of either fabrics impregnated on site and laid up against the concrete substrate, or prefabricated elements adhesively bonded to the substrate, are increasingly being used for the repair and strengthening of concrete structural elements in bridges and buildings. A large number of such systems exist and it is difficult for the engineer to not only differentiate among a number of them but also to assess their effectiveness and uniformity. There is thus the need for a national program of evaluation and assessment of these systems. This paper presents the main features of an evaluation program being developed by the civil Engineering Research Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration under the aegis of the Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center.