Requirement of Strengthening/Rehabilitation

Strengthening/Rehabilitation of a structure may be required on account of one or

combination of the following:
Deterioration of structure due to environmental effect.
Revision in loading standard.
Seismic retrofitting.
Brief about such factors are given as below:
Deterioration of structure due to environmental effect
Concrete is heterogeneous as well as porous material. It allows ingress of air and
moisture in it.In our country, 80% of the rainfall takes place in two months of the
monsoon season. Furthermore, we are having very long coastal area. Coastal area is
comparatively more corrosive than the other area. Ingress of moisture, air or chloride
(which is available in air from the sea water in the coastal area) reaches reinforcement
of RCC structures. It corrodes the reinforcement. Corroded product is having much
more volume than its original volume. To make space for its increased volume, it
causes crack in the concrete. Cracked concrete provides easy access to corroding
agents, which further corrodes the reinforcement at accelerated rate resulting further
deterioration of structure.

2.2 Revision in loading standard
From time to time, loading standard is being
revised. If we introspect the loading standard of the Indian Railways, which the
railway companies followed initially when the railway line was started in this
country, we find that axle load was 7.5t. Now-a-days, axle load has been increased
to 25t in respect of MBG loading standard and 30t in case of HM loading standard.
Similarly, longitudinal force was not considered initially while designing the bridge.
First time, It was introduced in the BRIDGE RULE in 1923. It doesnt mean that
initially, the engineers were not aware of the longitudinal forces. Actually,
longitudinal forces at that time were of smaller magnitude, which was not having
any problem in affecting the section of the substructure since vertical load was
predominant and the section adopted for vertical load alongwith practical
consideration (i.e. required top width to place the girder with some space to do
inspection and repair work), at that time, was sufficient to cater for the longitudinal
forces easily. Now-a-days, tractive effort of the MBG loading is 100t and that for HM
loading is 135t. Braking force depends upon the span length and it may be even
more than that of tractive effort in case the span of bridge is more. Due to revised
loading standard, the old bridge, which is still in sound condition, needs
strengthening on account of its capacity enhancement to meet with the increased
loading standard.

2.3 Seismic retrofitting After getting past experience, world over, seismic forces are
being revised to ensure safety. Everywhere, this revision is on the upward side. As
such, as per the revised codal provisions, existing bridges need to be strengthened
as far as seismic provisions are concerned. This can be achieved by seismic
retrofitting of the structures.

Review of the conventional strengthening/rehabilitation procedures
Before coming to the actual discussions about strengthening/ rehabilitation of the
structures with the help of FRP, it is better to review the existing strengthening/
rehabilitation procedures alongwith its merits and demerits. The prevalent
conventional strengthening/rehabilitation methods are given as below:
Removal of the deteriorated material and repairing of the structure
with fresh concrete.
Section addition.
Providing external reinforcement with the help of steel plates.
External pre-stressing.


3.1 Removal of the deteriorated material and repairing of the structures with fresh
concrete - In this process, deteriorated and loose materials are being removed.
Surface is properly cleaned. Treatment to the reinforcement is provided to check
further corrosion. Then after, wiremesh is laid followed by proper guniting of the
surface. Merits and demerits of this system of strengthening/rehabilitation work are
given as below:
Merits
Procedure is simple.
Expertise is locally available which has to be followed properly.
Process is comparatively economical.
Demerits
It delays the corrosion activities but does not stop.
It does not enhance the capacity of the structure.
It requires closure of the bridge while doing the repair work.


3.2 Section addition/Enlargement
Here, strengthening/rehabilitation is done by
addition/ enlargement of the section. It is possible with piers, abutment (on span
side), columns etc but not possible in beams and slabs. Jacketing and providing
buttress to the abutment also falls in this category. Merits and demerits of this
system of strengthening/rehabilitation work are given as below:
Merits
Design principle is simple and well understood.
Procedure is simple to adopt
Demerits
During the strengthening/rehabilitation period, bridges may need its
closure.
Strengthening/rehabilitation for vertical portion of structure is possible
like columns, piers etc. But, horizontal portion of the structure like
beam and slab, the same is either not possible or very difficult.
Weight of the structure is increased.


3.3 Providing external reinforcement with the help of steel plates
In this process, steel plate is added on the tension side of the beam and the same is
properly fixed with the help of epoxy. The added steel plate act as external
reinforcement and hence, enhance the flexural capacity of the structure. Before
providing the external reinforcement, all the loose materials are removed, surface is
roperly evened and cleaned. A layer of good quality of epoxy is applied and then after,
steel plate is fixed. Schematic arrangement of the method is shown as below.
External reinforced of RCC beam with steel plate
RCC Beam
Steel plate
Epoxy layer
1 3 .65 56
Side Elevation Section

Merits and demerits of this system of strengthening/rehabilitation work are given as
below:
Merits
Work is fast. As such, closer time of the bridge while strengthening/
rehabilitating the bridge is less.
Material added for strengthening i.e. steel is of assured quality (not
like concrete where chances of voids while field application may be
there). Hence, quality of work is better.
Demerits
In case of large span beam, it becomes difficult to handle the steel
plate due to its heavy weight.
In case of joining of plate is required due to longer span, difficulty is
being faced in providing butt-welded joint.
Corrosion is being experienced to the external provided steel plate.
Steel being denser material, it adds up appreciable weight to the
structure.


3.4 External pre-stressing - Strengthening/rehabilitation work, particularly, in case of
girder bridges can be done with the help of external prestressing. External
prestressing force is provided with the help of external pre-stressing cables, which
remains outside the main girder. By this way, structure is strengthened/
rehabilitated.
Merits and demerits of this system of strengthening/rehabilitation work are given
below:
Merits
Adding up of the weight is the least.
Performance of the structure is well ascertained till the cables are
performing well.
Demerits
Due to cables being external, chances of corrosion is there.
Chances of sabotage by cutting of the cable by the saboteurs.are
there
Problem in providing anchorage to the external cables may be there.
Strengthening/Rehabilitation of the structures with the help of FRP - FRP
stands for Fibre Reinforced Plastic. It is a wonderful material, which came into
existence around 1950 and then after, now-a-days, having wide application. Very
good potential is there regarding use of this product as strengthening of the civil
engineering structures. Fibres are embedded in resin matrix, which binds the fibres
and produce excellent material after curing, known as FRP. Fibre may be either
glass fibre or carbon fibre or aramid fibre. Similarly, resin may be either epoxy resin,
polyester resin or vinylester resin. Depending upon the type of fiber used, product is
known as Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP), in case glass fibre is used,
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), in case Carbon fibre is used and Aramid
Fibre Reinforced Plastic (AFRP), in case aramid fibre is used.
Before further discussions, it is necessary to have certain idea about the strength
parameters of various types of FRP products. The same is given as below:
S.No.
Type of
FRP
% age of
fibre
Density in
Kg/M3
Tensile strength
in kg/cm2
1. GFRP 50 to 80 1600 2000 4000 18000
2. CFRP 65 to 75 1600 1900 12000 22500
3. AFRP 60 to 70 1050 1250 10000 18000

Merits of FRP Products:
FRP products are corrosion free. As such, even with its exposure to extreme
climate, the same is not corroded.
It strength is higher, even than that of steel. Weight-wise, it is lighter than the
steel. Strength to weight ratio is very much favourable in case of FRP.
Due to lighter material, transportation problem is not there.
Due to lighter in weight, its application is easy.
Lighter weight allows FRP product even in the form of roll. Hence, adequate
length of FRP roll can be had and there is no requirement of any field joint.
FRP products are having very good fatigue property.
4.3 Demerits of FRP products:
FRP product is less ductile. As such, strengthened structure losses its
ductility to certain extent.
Plastic behaviour of the FRP products is not constant/regular. As such, due
to erratic plastic stage performance, its ultimate behaviour is not very certain.
In case of uneven surface, problem in its application will be there.
FRP products are costlier.
In small quantity, its application may not be favourable from cost and
quantity consideration.
FRP product is prone to the ultra violet rays attack. As such, UV stabilizer
needs to be added while manufacturing FRP product, so as to enhance its
life.

5.0 Strengthening/Rehabilitation procedure with the help of FRP: Mainly there are
two methods, which are predominantly being used in strengthening/rehabilitation of
structures with the help of FRP. The same are given below:
1. Wet lay- up method.
2. Pre-fabrication of FRP followed by its application.

5.1 Surface preparation - Before start of the work, it is very much essential to ensure
that surface should be dry, clean, free from oil and grease and any type of loose
materials. To ensure little roughness, light sand blasting or grinding can be done
followed by proper cleaning of the surface to remove dust particles. Any protrusion
should be made good otherwise, it may create void in the nearby area. Crack more
than 0.3mm width, if any, needs to be properly epoxy grouted to ensure good
quality.

5.2 Wet lay-up method - This method is nothing but in-situ preparation of FRP product
and its application required in connection with strengthening/rehabilitation work of
structures. Firstly, one coat application of good quality epoxy is required. Then
after, saturated fibre in the appropriate resin should be applied on the surfa
Strengthening/Rehabilitation of various types of structures - Depending upon
case-to-case and member-to-member, strengthening/rehabilitation may be of
different types. Most common among them may be either one or combination of the
following as given below:
Strengthening/Rehabilitation work to enhance the flexural capacity.
Strengthening/Rehabilitation work to enhance the Shear capacity
Strengthening/Rehabilitation work to enhance the axial force carrying
capacity (either alone or in combination with bending).
Strengthening/Rehabilitation work to enhance the flexural capacity - In this
case, on the tension side, FRP sheet of designed thickness is applied. It acts as an
external reinforcement. Added external FRP reinforcement alongwith internal steel
reinforcement, both on the tension side provide the desired quantity of
reinforcement. This addition shifts the neutral axis on the tension side and that
enhances the total compressive force on the compression side. As such, structure
is strengthened to the desired extent. Schematic diagram of the flexural
strengthening of a beam is given as below:
R e q u ire d z o n e o f s t re n g th e n in g
Z o n e o f a n ch o ra g e
2 0 .3 2 45
Z o n e o f a n ch o ra g e
A
A
S e c t io n A - A
T y p ic a l D ia g ram sh ow in g s t re n g th e n in g o f b e am w ith F R P
As necessary calculation is being done in deciding the length of the reinforcement
even away from the zone of requirement to ensure transfer of force through bond
length, similar is the situation in strengthening with FRP also. In addition to the zone
of requirement, FRP sheet is extended beyond that in such a manner that adequate
anchorage should be available to transfer the force safely.

6.1.1 Orientation of the fibres - While strengthening the member, orientation of the
fibre
is of utmost importance. This is so, because strength of FRP product is not equal in
all directions. In the axial direction of fibre, its strength is the maximum. In flexural
members, tension is along the span direction and mainly for that, steel
reinforcement is provided. In similar way, while providing the FRP sheet, the same
should be in such a manner that direction of the fibre should be mainly along the
span.
6.1.2 De-bonding of the FRP Sheet - Main problem with the FRP strengthening of
RCC
structure is that there is a chance of de-bonding of the FRP sheet with RCC. Debonding
is not the desired phenomena. Wherever chances of de-bonding are there,
FRP in the form of U strip is provided at the end to ensure proper end anchorage
to the FRP sheet at the end. Anchorage should pass through the bottom of FRP
sheet provided for flexural strengthening. If the structure is required for
strengthening in shear also, then contribution of U strip will be there in transferring
the shear force as well. Schematic diagram showing FRP strip in the form of U to
avoid debonding is shown as below.
Meanwhile, some mechanical anchorages have also been developed. These
anchorages can be provided either independently or in combination with FRP U
strip.
6.1.3 Flexural strengthening of the slabs - Slabs are also flexural members. In case,
strengthening of slab is required, the same can also be done with the help of FRP
strips. Schematic diagram of strengthening of RCC slabs of one way as well as two
way type are given below: