Title: Durability of hybrid FRP reinforcing bars in concrete structures exposed to marine environments

Authors: Jong-Pil Won; Chan-Gi Park; Su-Jin Lee; Byung-Tak Hong

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental System Engineering Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea. ' Department of Rural Construction Engineering, Kongju National University, Yesan Campus, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. ' Department of Civil and Environmental System Engineering, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea. ' Department of Civil and Environmental System Engineering, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea

Abstract: To solve the brittle failure of existing FRP rebar, we developed hybrid FRP rebar that has more than 3% strain and plastic deformation like a steel reinforcement. So, the developed hybrid FRP rebar has emerged as one of the most promising and affordable solution to the brittle failure problem of existing FRP rebar in concrete structures. In this study, the durability of hybrid FRP rebar exposed to marine environments was evaluated. The performance degradation of three types of hybrid FRP rebar and one type of GFRP rebar were investigated after exposure to marine environment. Laboratory simulated a marine environment with solutions of NaCl, Na₂SO₄, and CaCl₂, and repeated dry/wet and freeze/thaw cycles after immersion in salt water. Performance assessment was based on tensile strength, short beam tests, and bond tests. All test results showed high residual strength under the all condition. The experimental results confirm the desirable resistance of hybrid FRP rebar to marine environment.

Keywords: durability; fibre reinforced polymer; hybrid FRP reinforcing bars; concrete structures; marine environments; brittle failure; strain; plastic deformation; salt water immersion; tensile strength; short beam tests; bond tests; residual strength.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2013.050764

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2013 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.63 - 74

Published online: 28 Jun 2014 *

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