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CFRP Surface Preparation and Applacation
Because of the dust-sensitive equipment in the
work area and the logistics of access to the deck soffit, sandblasting
(the preferred method of surface preparation) was never an option.
Dustless hand grinders with carbine grinding discs were used to
develop the proper concrete profile for the CFRP application, which
was installed in the positive moment region (under the deck) first.
After the surface profile was established, the
following steps were followed to install the CFRP, in accordance
with manufacturer's requirements:
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Primer is applied.
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Carbon fiber sheet, saturated with epoxy resin, is applied.
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Second coat of epoxy saturate is applied.
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Before proceeding with the installation of the
CFRP, four test panels were installed to test its bond to concrete
substrate. All tests exceed the manufacturer's specified 250 psi
(1.7 MPa) bond strength and all failed in the concrete substrate,
with the lowest test at 435 psi (3 MPa). This confirmed that proper
surface preparation had been performed. Additionally, laboratory
testing of the actual supplied and installed CFRP was conducted
to determine its mechanical properties. Test data confirmed that
they met the minimum manufacturer's design parameters.
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