Title: Wet-Bond of Concrete to FRP Formwork using Epoxy Adhesive

Author(s): Z. Wu and Y. Shao

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 257

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 171-182

Keywords: carbon-glass hybrid fibers; fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP); wet-bond

DOI: 10.14359/20246

Date: 10/1/2008

Abstract:
The cost-effective FRP-concrete composite structures represent the future of composites for corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free construction. The success of such structures is dependent on the bond between FRP and concrete to ensure a composite action. This paper is to present a study on the wet-bond technology to achieve the adhesive bond between prefabricated stay-inplace FRP form and cast-in-place concrete. Three wet bond agents were investigated, one employing conventional epoxy resins, one underwater resin, and one bonded aggregates, respectively. Three composite U-shape profiles of 2 m (6.6 ft) long were prefabricated, then coated with bonding agent, one type for each, and used as stay-in-place formwork for cast-in-place concrete beams. The FRP composite profiles also served as external reinforcements that incorporated high-modulus carbon sheets and high-ductility E-glass sheets to achieve required stiffness and ductility. With minimum internal steel reinforcement (r = 0.2%) to control the crack width, the composite beams had exhibited a comparable flexural stiffness and an enhanced resistance to first crack, post-cracking yielding and ultimate failure in comparison to RC beams of r = 1.5%.