Author

Mina Riad

ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0002-6953-7514

Graduation Semester and Year

2017

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Nur Yazdani

Abstract

Repair and rehabilitation methods for civil infrastructure have become a topic of great interest to engineers. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is considered as one of the most popular and practical solutions for strengthening and retrofitting of civil infrastructure. Several past studies indicated that significant increase in strength and stiffness can be achieved by using this technology. The FRP-concrete interface bond is critical in transferring stresses from the concrete surface to the FRP. However, the evaluation of the bond strength is still a challenging issue. To evaluate the bond strength using non-destructive techniques, 32 concrete beams strengthened with FRP using different parameters affecting the bond strength (surface roughness, voids, Epoxy type, Epoxy layers, FRP type, surface preparation, application direction and surface wetness) were tested. The experiment was conducted with the objective of determining the suitable non-destructive method to detect each of the parameters in study, determining the effect of each parameter in study on the bond strength between the concrete and the FRP and finally use finite element models to prepare a set of relationships graphs between each of the parameters in study and the bond strength. The test samples were scanned using ground generating radar (GPR), ultrasound tomography, Infrared camera and Schmidt hammer.

Keywords

Non-destructive evaluation, Ultrasound tomography, Ground penetrating radar, Infrared camera, FRP strengthening, Debonding, Bond strength, Concrete

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Civil Engineering | Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

27954-2.zip (9193 kB)

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.