National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) have been widely used for bridge repair and strengthening because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. However, the long-term durability of CFRP repairs under harsh environmental conditions remains unclear. Accumulated damage resulting from mechanical loading and environmental degradation, such as moisture, freezing, and thermal aging, may cause unpredictable damage to the infrastructure. To address this issue, this project aims to investigate the combined effects of fatigue and environmental aging on the durability of CFRP. The project employs a range of theoretical and computational methods to explore the impact of these factors on the mechanical properties of CFRP repairs. These methods multi-scale modeling of environmentally and mechanically conditioned samples to simulate the effects of moisture and temperature changes. The project results are expected to provide valuable insights into the long- term durability of CFRP repairs, which can help ensure the safety and reliability of bridges that have been repaired with CFRP. The project outcomes may have practical implications for bridge design and maintenance as well as for the wider adoption of CFRP as a repair and strengthening material in civil infrastructure.