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The National Academies

NCHRP IDEA 20-30/IDEA 128 [Completed (IDEA)]

Underwater Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Repair of Corroding Piles Incorporating Cathodic Protection
[ NCHRP 20-30 (NCHRP-IDEA) ]

  Project Data
Staff Responsibility: Dr. Inam Jawed

This project developed and tested a hybrid fiber reinforced polymer-cathodic protection (FRP-CP) system for the repair and corrosion protection of underwater piles. In the initial stage, new systems developed to allow several partially submerged piles to be simultaneously pressure /vacuum bagged were tested. Results from over 400 pullout tests showed that these new systems led to significant improvement in the FRP-concrete bond both above and below the waterline. Work is under way on the second stage of the project in which systems developed in the laboratory are being implemented. An embedded anode system was installed in four piles supporting the Friendship Trail Bridge, Tampa Bay in which the FRP wrap was pressure bagged. Preliminary results were found encouraging. However, several data loggers were damaged by water intrusion which were replaced and installed in a specially designed water-proof enclosure. Field monitoring of the CP system will continue for some time. The final report documents all data and developments of the FRP-CP system along with an assessment of the technology for implementation and commercialization.

Figure 1

Underwater repair concept: special zinc anodes are embedded inside the concrete. The finished surface is then wrapped using FRP.

The contractor's final report is available.

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