Field exposure based durability assessment of FRP column wrap systems

The durability of two fiber reinforced polymer column wrap systems is assessed through the exposure of representative specimens to field environments by placement of specimens adjacent to actual bridge columns wrapped using the systems. Characterization of specimens is conducted through NOL-ring burst testing, short-beam-shear tests, moisture absorption tests, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and optical microscopy. It is seen that degradation mechanisms differ by system with the adhesively bonded system showing degradation to be dominated, by exposure effects on the adhesive and bond-line, whereas the wet Jay-up system shows resin and interface dominated deterioration mechanisms. Failure modes can be correlated well with laboratory based water and freeze-thaw exposures. Field wrapping is seen to be a rapid and effective method but is more expensive than the steel jacket alternative. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.