Comparative performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams exposed to accelerated corrosion by impress anodic current and repaired using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) material is evaluated. 16 beams of 150 mm ´ 250 mm ´ 1,200 mm effective span are cured for 28 days. Four beams are subjected to 8 wetting-drying cycles of two weeks each—the beams are immersed in water with 3.5% NaCl solution up to tension reinforcement for one week and kept in open atmosphere for one week. Beams after exposure are repaired using polymer mortar, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wrapping. Another four beams are protected using the GFRP and CFRP wrapping. The beams are subjected to corrosion using procedure described above for 16 weeks. Cracks observed during visual observation and half-cell potential measurements confirmed the effects of corrosion for all the beams. Corrosion has brought minor reduction in load carrying capacity, increase in deflection and higher strain for beams wrapped by GFRP and CFRP before corrosion as compared to that of control wrapped beams. Similar results are observed for beams wrapped by FRPs after corrosion. Superior performance is exhibited by CFRP material compared to GFRP in terms of corrosion protection for concrete. Thus, FRP wrappings have proved excellent material for protection of concrete against deterioration under corrosive environment.

Corrosion has been defined as the rust of metal. Corrosion is the electrochemical reaction between a material, usually a metal, and its environment that produces deterioration of material and its properties (ASTM G15, 2006). The process by which a refined metal reverts back to its natural state by oxidation reaction with nonmetallic environment is called corrosion. Reinforced Concrete (RC) is a versatile, economical and successful construction material. Corrosion presents one of the greatest threats to infrastructure. Concrete structures deteriorate in an aggressive environment in a much shorter time period than expected by the owner and the designer (Broomfield, 1997). Service life issues, including corrosion, are the major considerations in structural design. In a tropical country like India, where approximately 80% of the annual rainfall takes place in the two monsoon months, rusting-related problems are very common, especially in residential and industrial structures. India also has a very long coastline where marine weather prevails (Syed, 2005). According to one American report, $150 bn worth of corrosion damage only on their interstate highway bridges is due to de-icing and sea salt induced corrosion. In UK, the Highway Agency’s estimation of salt induced corrosion damage is a total of 616.5 million on motorway and trunk road bridges in England and Wales alone. Similar type of damage statistics have been there from other Asian countries and as well as Australia. Thus, it can be observed from the above discussion that corrosion of steel in concrete has become an alarming durability problem in mild as well as severe climatic conditions worldwide.

Structural Engineering Journal, Impress anodic current technique, Corrosion measurement, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) wrapping, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wrapping.