A review on steel/CFRP strengthening systems focusing environmental performance

Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) to strengthen steel structures has attracted a great deal of attention recent years. Previous researches demonstrated bonding CFRP plates to the steel sections is a successful technique to increase flexural stiffness and fatigue resistance of sleet sections. However, behavior of the system under various environmental conditions has not completely defined yet. This paper reviews the studies carried out concerning CFRP/steel strengthening systems. It introduces the environmental factors which influence the system and expresses the effects separately. Major durability studies explained in detail and important results discussed critically leading to define gap areas for future works. The survey concludes natural environmental exposure must be investigated to find out the real behavior of the strengthening system in different conditions. Besides, various types of specimens should be applied to study both shear and normal stresses. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.