Title: FRP Application in Underwater Repair of Corroded Piles

Author(s): R. Sen, G. Mullins, K. Suh, and D. Winters

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 230

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1139-1156

Keywords: corrosion; FRP; instrumentation; piles; repair; underwater

DOI: 10.14359/14885

Date: 10/1/2005

Abstract:
The poor durability of conventional corrosion repairs has led to increasedinterest for its replacement by fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). Over the past decade,several highway agencies completed demonstration projects in which FRP was used torepair corrosion damage on surfaces that were dry. These repairs have held up well andshow little sign of deterioration. The availability of resins that can cure in water hasmade it possible to explore the application of FRP for the underwater repair ofcorrosion-damaged piles. This paper presents findings from three demonstrationprojects in which corroding reinforced and prestressed piles at two contrastinglocations were repaired using two different FRP systems. Several piles wereinstrumented to allow long-term corrosion monitoring. The projects confirm thefeasibility of conducting underwater FRP repairs in tidal waters. Preliminary datasuggests that the wrap leads to a reduction in the prevailing corrosion rate.