Durability of CFRP strengthened steel plate double-strap joints in accelerated corrosion environments

This paper presents the outcomes of a research program on the durability of CFRP-strengthened steel plate double-strap joints in accelerated corrosion conditions. CFRP-steel double-strap joints were fabricated and exposed to different levels of accelerated corrosion conditions. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effect of surface preparation method, primer, number of CFRP layers and exposure duration on the failure modes and tensile capacity of double-strap joints. The results show that sandblasting is an efficient and economical surface preparation method. The application of a primer layer helps to increase the durability and load-carrying capacity of double-strap joints. Degradation of CFRP can occur due to accelerated corrosion conditions, resulting in CFRP rupture failure mode. Multi-layer CFRP systems show better durability performance under accelerated corrosive conditions. Degradation of CFRP becomes dominant when CFRP is exposed to accelerated corrosion. The analytical model that was developed based on the research results is capable of predicting the deterioration level of CFRP due to accelerated corrosion and can be used to evaluate the long-term durability of CFRP strengthened steel structures. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.