Influence of epoxy type in concrete beams strengthened with fibre-reinforced polymer Available to Purchase

An evaluation to verify the effect of the epoxy resin type in the durability of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer was performed in order to assess which is more efficient. The performance of these specimens was assessed by evaluating the flexural capacity and load–deflection relationships of the beams after placing them in different environments, directly or indirectly, with simulated field conditions for a specified period of time. The specimens were exposed to four environmental conditions: a controlled laboratory environment, outside environment (direct exposure to field conditions), wet–dry in normal water environment and wet–dry saline (sodium chloride) water environment. The specimens of different wet–dry environments were exposed to a time cycle of 2 weeks inside the solution and 2 weeks outside the solution. The tests were carried out after 4 and 6 months of exposure to different environmental conditions. An analysis of variance was performed with the results of the beam's rupture tests in order to assess the influence of the exposure conditions and the epoxy resin type in the beam's rupture load.