New Options for Extending Life of Concrete Structures
Posted: Apr 6, 2023
Concrete structures such as bridges play a key role in transportation infrastructure, but as those structures age, transportation agencies seek affordable ways to safely extend their service lives. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver developed design recommendations for the use of new technologies for reinforcing concrete elements. Near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a viable option for affordably extending the lifespan of existing concrete members, but the technologies rely heavily on the use of organic epoxy resins, which have several drawbacks. The researchers evaluated three types of emerging resins for performance, leading to design recommendations that will enhance use of NSM CFRP technologies for affordably rehabilitating concrete structures.
Concrete structures such as bridges play a key role in transportation infrastructure, but as those structures age, transportation agencies seek affordable ways to safely extend their service lives. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver developed design recommendations for the use of new technologies for reinforcing concrete elements. Near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a viable option for affordably extending the lifespan of existing concrete members, but the technologies rely heavily on the use of organic epoxy resins, which have several drawbacks. The researchers evaluated three types of emerging resins for performance, leading to design recommendations that will enhance use of NSM CFRP technologies for affordably rehabilitating concrete structures.