Performance of CFRP retrofit over epoxy and mineral bonders

Structures in service are subjected to deterioration, and require upgrading when they reach their operational limits. Also, natural calamities have a significant impact on the structural capacity and may lead to premature failure of the entire structure. To minimise further deterioration, various rehabilitation techniques have been developed, and among these methods, Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) is the most commonly used. FRPs have gained immense popularity in civil, structural and automation industry over the past few decades because of its light weight, high strength and durability aspects. There are a number of polymers used for retrofitting concrete damages such as Carbon fibre, Glass fibre, steel fibres, etc. Presently, epoxies have been widely used as an adhesive to bond the FRP to concrete structures. Literature investigation shows that epoxy is unsuitable for extreme conditions and harmful to work with. Therefore, this project deals with the comparison of epoxy's bonding efficiency with that of the Mineral Based Composites (MBC) which are sustain able. They are a recent development and seem to offer equivalent strength to that of epoxy. The control specimens would be subjected to various levels of damage before being tested for their efficacy with epoxy and MBC. Moreover, the suitability of epoxy and mineral bonders for CFRP and GFRP retrofits is compared and contrasted through experimental results. The bonding performance results obtained from optimal MBC mix might prove as a pathway for further research development on these innovative and sustainable MBC bonders.