Evaluation of ECE, FRP, and Sealers for Corrosion Mitigation in Reinforced Concrete Bridges

  • FRP wrap adds strength to concrete columns.
  • Water and chloride penetration leads to corrosion and exposure of reinforcement steel in bridges.
Status:  Complete
Report Date:  01/23/2020

Summary:

In 1998, researchers applied and evaluated various combinations of corrosion mitigation treatments to lengthen the life of repaired and chloride contaminated concrete of a Minneapolis bridge. Investigators returned to the site 20 years later to evaluate the performance of electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE), fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps, and concrete coatings in various combinations. Results suggest that protecting bridge substructures from exposure to water and chlorides should remain as the principle method for ensuring longevity. Conventional concrete repair at early stages of corrosion-related damage remains the most cost-effective option for bridge substructure repair. ECE, sealers and FRP will not substitute for maintaining bridge expansion joints or reducing substructure water exposure through better detailing of the water path. The combination of ECE and FRP was found to be very effective at preventing recurrence of chloride-related damage, but was expensive and did not prevent significant chloride contamination from recurring.

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