Abstract
The use of composite materials in the strengthening, rehabilitation, and repair industry has been gaining popularity due to their ability to promote the safety and sustainability of civil infrastructure. Fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) systems have recently emerged as a viable repair alternative for restoring the integrity of damaged or structurally deficient reinforced concrete (RC) short of replacing it. The success of FRCM has been driven by its proven structural performance, inherent heat resistance and excellent compatibility with the concrete substrate. Due to the novelty of FRCM technology, the full potential of FRCM has yet to be experimentally validated and as a result, technical literature is limited. Accordingly, the experimental and numerical evaluation of a polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fabric based FRCM system was undertaken and presented through three interrelated studies, where an introductory chapter presents a detailed review of FRCM systems. The first study investigates the effect of multiple layers on FRCM material properties and performance, by means of conducting direct tension and bond tests. The study also investigates the early-age bond strength of a system applied to concrete, over a 28-day period. The second study entails the analysis and experimental investigation of impact-damaged prestressed concrete (PC) bridge girders strengthened with FRCM and was also expanded to include FRP as a repair system. The third study investigates the experimental performance of FRCM strengthened RC beams subjected to static and fatigue loading where parameters such as ultimate strength, applied stress range, fatigue life, failure modes, and residual strength were observed. The global objective is to experimentally and numerically validate FRCM’s potential as a repair system for transportation infrastructure as a means to expand the current knowledge of FRCM systems. Overall, the PBO-FRCM exhibited favorable mechanical behavior and structural performance. Through the use of effective methods of technology transfer, the results and observations serve to bridge the gap between applied research, design literature and structural application in order to promote the use of sustainable repair materials.