ABSTRACT
CFRP strengthening strips and the concrete. Thus, corrosion of reinforcing steel presents a problem for CFRP-strengthened structures for two reasons. First, as steel corrodes there is a corresponding reduction in the cross-sectional area that may not be significant except with pitting corrosion ACI (1996a). Second, the corrosion products occupy a larger volume than the original steel and exert substantial tensile forces on the surrounding concrete, causing it crack and spall off. The expansive forces caused by steel corrosion can cause cracking and spalling of the concrete cover and hence loss of composite action between the CFRP strengthening strips and the substrate concrete.
