Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F.

, Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

Effect of combined environmental cycles on the bond of FRP sheets to

concrete
Dr. J.J. Myers & S.S. Murthy
University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri, USA

F. Micelli
University of Lecce, Lecce, Italy
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of an experimental program undertaken to investigate the durability of bond between concrete and various Fiber Reinforced Polymer sheets (Carbon, Glass, Aramid). The
entire experimental program consisted of tests on forty-eight 152-mm x 152-mm x 610-mm (6 x 6 x 24)
pre-cracked beam specimens strengthened in flexure with either carbon, glass or aramid FRP sheets. The data
and results of fifteen beams are presented herein for discussion. The beams were pre-cracked under single
point loading by applying the cracking load prior to strengthening with FRP sheets. After the beams were
strengthened with the FRP sheets, they were subjected to combined environmental effects including freezethaw, high moisture, high temperature cycling and indirect ultraviolet radiation exposure under sustained load
(0%, 25% and 40% of ultimate load). After exposure, the longitudinal steel reinforcement in the beams was
cut prior to testing to better assess the bond characteristics of the FRP laminates. The beams were tested under
2-point flexure after the exposure period and crack growth and strains in the FRP sheets were recorded. The
combined environmental effects on the bond of FRP sheets are discussed herein.
1 INTRODUCTION
The alarming deterioration of worlds infrastructure
has caused engineers to seek new ways of rehabilitating aged structures. Corrosion of steel reinforcement
is considered to be the major cause of deterioration in
concrete infrastructure facilities such as bridges,
buildings, marine and waterfront constructions, and
chemical plants. Although various solutions like epoxy coatings, cathodic protection, increased concrete
cover and polymer concrete have been tried in the
past, none of the measures have provided long-term
solutions. The construction industry is in dire need of
alternative materials to steel, which do not corrode.
The utilization of advanced composite materials
shows great potential in the area of structural rehabilitation. Composites offer many advantages in structural uses, such as higher strengths and lighter
weights, corrosion resistance, design flexibility that
enables the creation of large and/or complex shapes.
Other factors which call for the use of FRP composites in the rehabilitation of structures is time and tailorability; strengthening techniques using FRP composites allow for cost-efficient retrofit option
although the initial cost of FRP composites is higher
than conventional materials.
Although, impressive inroads have been made into
infrastructure applications, there are still barriers that
need to be overcome to achieve the full potential of
using these materials in construction. Currently of
most importance is the issue of durability. Of particu-

lar concern are such issues as performance degradation in severe operating environments like marine, extreme temperature, relative humidity, freeze-thaw
cycles, UV radiation, and long-term exposure to deicing salts.
One of the earliest attempts to examine the durability of composites for civil engineering applications
were performed by Dolan [Toutanji et al., 1997]. The
study concluded that GFRP and AFRP tendons have
long-term durability problems in concrete. Also,
many durability studies have pointed out that the performances of composite materials can be altered in
different conditions. Moisture and wet environment is
known to cause some of the most severe damages
[Springer, 1988]. Moisture exposure lowers the glass
transition temperature of the polymeric matrix in FRP
composites [Buck et al. 1997]. The addition of moisture lowers the minimum temperature required for
degradation of composite durability in terms of the ultimate tensile strength [Clements et al. 1992]. Moisture and elevated temperature is known to decrease
composite durability more than moisture exposure
alone.
These studies indicate that there is a need for assessment of composite performance durability under
combined environmental exposure to simulate the
natural weathering conditions. The objective of this
on-going study is to examine the bond degradation
due to combined environmental exposures under sustained load for various FRP strengthened concrete

Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F., Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

beams in order to provide guidelines and procedures

for designers and researchers.
2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
The research program discussed herein consisted of
flexural tests on fifteen conditioned beams and six
control beams (152 mm x 152 mm x 610 mm). Details of the beam specimen are shown in figure 1.
Beams were fabricated with 2 number, 6-mm diameter (#2) undeformed bars. The longitudinal steel reinforcement was provided such that the specimens
could be pre-cracked prior to strengthening and to allow for conditioning under sustained load similar to a
repaired structure. The beams were pre-cracked under
single point loading by applying the cracking load 28
days after fabrication. Beams were later sandblasted
on their tension face for better adhesion of MbraceTM
FRP composite sheets. Installation procedure of FRP
sheets recommended by the manufacturer was strictly
adhered to while applying all three types of sheets.
102 mm
Pu
FRP U-wrap

533 mm

FRP Sheet
Pre-cracks

152 mm

2 - #2 steel rebars

152 mm

38 mm Cover

38 mm width FRP Sheet

Figure 1. Beam Dimensions

Sixteen beams were externally strengthened with

38-mm carbon FRP strips, seventeen beams with 38mm aramid FRP strips, and fifteen beams with 38mm glass FRP strips. All the beams were provided
with 51-mm width end u-wraps of respective FRP
sheets for better end anchorage between FRP strips
and concrete. The strengthened beams were then exposed to combined environmental cycles under various degrees of sustained loading in an environmental
chamber. A stress frame was designed to apply constant load on the beams throughout the exposure period in the environmental chamber.

The mechanical properties of the materials used

for the test specimens are shown in table 1.
The experimental program discussed herein is
shown schematically in table 2. The designation of
beams presented in this paper is as follows. Percentage of ultimate load-type of FRP sheet (AFRP, CFRP
or GFRP)-number of combined environmental cycles.
For example, 40-C-5 indicates a CFRP strengthened
beam exposed to 5 combined environmental cycles at
sustained 40% of ultimate load.
Table 1. Material Mechanical Properties
Material

Concrete
Steel
CFRP (CF 130)
AFRP (AK 60)
GFRP (EG 900)

Ultimate
Strength
(MPa)
34.5
661.9
3792.3
1999.6
1516.9

Elastic
Modulus
(MPa)
27145.6
199955
227535
117215
72397.5

Ultimate
Strain
(%)
0.2
0.33
1.67
1.7
2.1

Table 2. Experimental Program

Number of specimens
Conditioning under sustained load CFRP
AFRP
GFRP
(% ultimate)
3*
5*
3
5
3
0%
1
1
25%
1
1
1
1
1
40%
1
1
1
1
1
Control (uncondi- 2
2
2
tioned)
*
Number of combined environmental cycles

5
1
1
1

2.1 Exposure Cycle

The exposure cycle consisted of a combination of
freeze-thaw cycles, extreme temperature cycles, relative humidity cycles and indirect ultra-violet radiation
exposure. These cycles were selected to simulate the
seasonal changes in an environment such as continental Europe or Midwest, US in an accelerated manner.
Each freeze-thaw cycle consisted of freezing at
17.8oC (0oF) for 50 minutes and thawing at 4.4oC
(40oF) for 50 minutes. The transition period between
freezing and thawing was 30 minutes.
Extreme temperature cycle consisted of temperature variation between 26.7oC (80oF) for 25 minutes
and 49oC (120oF) for 25 minutes. The transition period between high and low temperature was 20 minutes.
Relative humidity cycles were carried out between
60% and 100%. 60% and 100% relative humidities
were maintained for 20 minutes each, transition period between 100% and 60% humidities was 30 minutes. Relative humidity cycles were carried out at
constant temperatures of 15.5oC (60oF) and 26.7oC
(80oF).

Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F., Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

60

40 cycles

120

40 cycles

40 cycles

50

Temperature (oC)

30

80

20

20 cycles

10

60

20 cycles

20 cycles

40

-10

High Temperature Cycles

-20

Relative Humidity (%)

100
40

20

Relative Humidity Cycles

50 Freeze-Thaw Cycles

-30

time

(Representative of One Exposure Cycle)

Figure 2. Exposure Regime

The order of cycling was 50 freeze-thaw cycles, 20

RH cycles at constant temperature of 15.5oC (60oF),
first set of 40 extreme temperature cycles, 20 RH cycles at constant temperature of 26.7oC (80oF), second
set of 40 extreme temperature cycles, 20 RH cycles at
constant temperature of 15.5oC (60oF) and third set of
40 extreme temperature cycles. The exposure regime
is shown schematically in figure 2.
2.2 Test Set-up and Specimen Preparation
After completion of the exposure cycles, the conditioned beams were taken out and the longitudinal
steel reinforcement was cut prior to testing. Four
strain gages were attached to FRP sheets as illustrated
in figure 3 for monitoring strain in the sheets. An extensometer was attached across the pre-initiated crack
to monitor the crack growth while testing.
114 mm

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The data collected from the strain gages were used to
develop load-strain curves and de-bonding behavior
of the sheets.
Peeling occurred in the sheet for all beams prior to
failure. During testing, there was a clear indication of
peeling of sheets in the form of a sharp sound at the
onset of the peeling. Peeling intensified with the
growth of the crack. The failure modes for all the
beams were due to peeling of FRP sheet from the
concrete. The post-failure observation of the sheets
indicated good bond between sheets and concrete
even after the environmental exposure cycles, although a relative degradation in the bond could be
witnessed after the failure of specimens.
700

63.5 mm

0-G-C
3.56 KN

600

Strain Gages

7.12 KN

500

micro strains

25 mm

electronic acquisition system and processed by LABVIEW 6.0 software.

10.68 KN

400

14.24 KN

300

17.8 KN

200
100
0

Figure 3. Position of Strain Gages

The beams were tested under two point bending in

a TiniusOlsenTM testing machine. Strains and crack
growth were recorded through the use of strain gages
and an extensometer. The data was collected by an

25

50

75

distance from crack (mm)

100

125

Figure 4. Strains in FRP sheets (representative) with increase in

load

Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F., Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

6000

8000

4000
3000

Glass

7000
6000
5000
4000
3000

0-G-C
25-G-3
40-G-3
25-G-5
40-G-5
0-G-5

2000

3.56 KN
7.12 KN
10.68 KN
14.24 KN
17.8 KN

25-G-5
5000
micro strains

largest degradation in terms of bond strength. In all

cases control specimens exhibited the lowest micro
strain levels. Clearly, some level of degradation between the FRP sheets and concrete bond occurred due
to environmental conditioning/aging.

micro strain

The degradation in the bond with the increase in load

can be seen for the control and conditioned specimens
as illustrated in figures 4 and 5 as a representative example below. Figures 4 and 5 compares the strains in
the FRP sheets with increase in load. From the figures, it can be seen that the strains increase at a much
more rapid rate with load in the 25-G-5 specimen as
compared to the 0-G-C (control) specimen because of
the early de-bonding of sheet in the conditioned
specimen. This indicates degradation in the bond of
FRP to the concrete.

1000
0
0

2000

25

50
75
100
distance from crack (mm)

125

Figure 7. GFRP Strain vs. Location

1000
0

0-A-C

7000
0

25

50

75

100

125

Aramid

distance from crack (mm)

6000

25-A-3

To get a broad picture of the degradation in bond

between FRP sheets and concrete, the strains in the
FRP sheets are plotted with the distance from the
crack. Here a representative level exceeding service
condition at approximately 60% of ultimate load was
chosen as reference for this discussion. Figures 6, 7
and 8 illustrates the strains over a length of 114.3-mm
for CFRP, GFRP and AFRP strengthened specimens.

5000

25-A-5

4000

40-A-5
0-A-5

3000
2000
1000
0
0

25

50
75
100
distance from crack (mm)

125

Figure 8. AFRP Strain vs. Location

6000

Carbon

5000

0-C-C
25-C-3
40-C-3

micro strain

micro strain

40-A-3

Figure 5. Strains in FRP sheets (representative) with increase in

load

4000

25-C-5
40-C-5

3000

0-C-5
2000

1000
Figure
0
0

25

50
75
100
distance from crack (mm)

125

Figure 6. CFRP Strain vs. Location

Each figure compares the strains for control and conditioned specimens at the representative load. Specimens conditioned for 5 combined environmental cycles at 40% sustained ultimate load exhibited the

The degradation between the FRP sheets and concrete bond resulted in degradation in the flexural
stiffness of the system. This reduction in the flexural
stiffness may be attributed to the bond performance
rather than the modulus of the FRP sheets in a more
conventional sense. Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the
relative flexural stiffness of the control and conditioned specimens strengthened with CFRP, AFRP and
GFRP sheets respectively at the crack. The figures illustrate the ratio of load to strain of various conditioned specimens and control specimen. Again for
consistency, the stiffness is calculated at a representative load of approximately 60% of ultimate load for
all specimens. The flexural stiffness degradation is
shown in terms of total percentage of the flexural
stiffness of control specimen. It can be seen from the
figures that GFRP strengthened conditioned speci-

Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F., Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

CFRP Strengthened Beams

100%
90%

0-G-C

80%

25-G-3

70%

40-G-3

60%

25-G-5

50%

40-G-5

40%
30%
20%
10%

* Ratio of
Load to
Strain

0%

100%

Figure 11. GFRP flexural stiffness degradation

90%

0-C-C
25-C-3
40-C-3
25-C-5
40-C-5

80%
Flexural Stiffness*

GFRP Strengthened Beams

Flexural Stiffness*

mens have degraded more than AFRP and CFRP

strengthened conditioned specimens when compared
with their control specimens.
For comparison, specimen 40-C-5 has lost about
55% in flexural stiffness as compared to 0-C-C
specimen where as specimen 40-G-5 has lost about
85% in flexural stiffness when compared to 0-G-C
specimen. Naturally, this comparative relationship of
flexural stiffness varies along the bonded length of
the laminate. In general, as the distance increases
from the crack, this disparity decreases between conditioned specimens.

70%
60%
50%
40%
30%

* Ratio of
Load to
Strain

20%
10%
0%

Figures 12 and 13 show the degradation of bond

graphically. The peeled CFRP sheets are shown in
figures 12 and 13 at ultimate. For reference, 0-C-C
and 25-C-5 are compared. In figure 12, a rough concrete substrate has peeled off with the CFRP sheet indicative of good bond performance for the control
specimen. Figure 13 shows that there is some degradation in the bond performance as the concrete substrate tends to be smoother and areas exist without
concrete bond.

Figure 9. CFRP flexural stiffness degradation

AFRP Strengthened Beams
100%
90%

Flexural Stiffness*

80%
70%
60%
50%

0-A-C
25-A-3
40-A-3
25-A-5
40-A-5

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Figure 10. AFRP flexural stiffness degradation

* Ratio of
Load to
Strain

Figure 12. Laminate after failure for specimen 0-C-C

Myers, J.J., Murthy, S., Micelli, F., Effect of Combined Environmental Cycles on the Bond of FRP Sheets to Concrete, Proceedings
- Composites In Construction, 2001 International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 10-12, 2001.

University of Lecce (Italy) for supporting this research.

6 REFERENCES

Peeling without
concrete

Figure 13. Laminate after failure for specimen 25-C-5

4 CONCLUSION / SUMMARY
Based upon the results presented herein, it may be
concluded that combined environmental exposure has
an adverse effect on the bond performance of FRP
sheets to concrete. Members strengthened with three
different FRP sheets indicated a reduction in flexural
stiffness of the member through the degradation of
bond of FRP sheet with concrete. It may also be concluded that for specimens conditioned under higher
sustained loads (40% of ultimate load) comparatively
more degradation in bond was observed, particularly
when compared to unload specimens. While this
study does not directly access the bond performance
of the typical repair situation with intact continuous
internal reinforcement, it may be inferred that some
level of degradation may also be anticipated.
From the results, it was also seen that the strain
readings did not highlight a premature bond failure
which means, if the surface preparation and sheet installation is done according to specifications; there
should not be any danger of sudden peeling of FRP
sheet from the concrete.
5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would to acknowledge the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) under research
study DTFH 61-00X-00017, the University Transportation Center (UTC) and the Repair of Buildings and
Bridges with Composites Cooperative Research Center (RB2C) at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
(U.S.), and Innovation Engineering Department at the

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