8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, 2017

ICSECM2017-86

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HUMIDITY AT INSTALLATION PHASE ON

PERFORMANCE OF CFRP STRENGTHEN STEEL I- BEAM.
S. Abeygunasekera1 *, J. C. P. H. Gamage 2, S.Fawzia3
1University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
2University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
3Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

* E-mail: abeygunasekarasampath@gmail.com, TP: +94712227790

Abstract: This paper focuses on the use of externally bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
(CFRP) materials to strengthen steel beam subjected to four points bending. Steel I-sections to
be 600 mm x100 mm x 50 mm was selected in this test programme. CFRP strengthening flexure
was carried out under a range of 17.2% to 37.2%. The test results showed a significant strength
variation from 86 kN to 93.4 kN with respect to relative humidity levels from 90% to 68%.This
study produces consisting evidence on the dependence of strength gain with the relative
humidity level at the installation phase.
Keywords: Four points bending: relative humidity, steel I beam: CFRP/steel bond
performance
1. Introduction environmental effects. Environmental
parameters can be considered as a more critical
A large number of steel structures function
external factor. Moisture level, temperature and
everywhere in the world and most of them
UV effects are the most influencing parameters.
have reached a critical age. As a result, such
Water ingress that reduces the bonding is
structures show signs of degradation. It may be
another important parameter which decides the
happening due to numerous reasons. A number
of factors contribute to this behavior that bond performance as absorption of water
molecules are caused by weak bonds between
includes the lifetime, current demand, and
environmental deterioration and design CFRP material and steel [1]. On the other hand,
parameters. In addition to this the effects of moisture absorption is caused by physical
changes of the CFRP matrix. Due to physical
corrosion, lack of proper maintenance, Design
changes, glass transition temperature of epoxy
and construction errors, and fatigue sensitive
material is reduced [2].
details can also be emphasised as influencing
Numerous investigations have been conducted
factors. Aging of structural components,
to understand the influencing of humidity level
insufficient detailing at the time of construction
of CFRP strengthen technology. According to
or design, and use of standard materials also
the study by Collings et.al,(1993)[3] and
should be an account at real applications.
Hollaway,(2010) [4] on the effects of moisture
Various kinds of repairing techniques are used
for recovery of service life losses in such level the study concludes that the moisture
structures. CFRP material based strengthen effects is caused due to unexpected structural
technology has provided a substantial solution distortions during their service life. Kumar
et.al,(2008) [5] had examined the effects of
as a repairing technique. Recently it has become
moisture level and reported water absorption
a leading method of structural retrofitting due
caused to reduce shear strength of the
to competitive advantages of fiber material than
polymers. Zhang et al,(2012) [6] have reported
conventional repairing methods. However,
that the result of 1% moisture absorption of
steel/CFRP bonding performance is critical
CFRP laminates is caused by 17 % bending
when this technology is considered. Bond
strength reduction. According to Nguyen
performance and durability depend on many
et.al,(2012) [7] the moisture absorption is very
variables that can be can be classified as
fast at the beginning and then reaching a
internal and external factors. Internal factors
can be identified as surface preparation constant level.
The effect of humidity level for epoxy adhesive
techniques, type of epoxy, applying loads on
structures, loading frequency, and has been investigated by Lettieri and Frigione
,(2012) [8] Authors have reported that humidity

18
 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, 2017

ICSECM2017-86

contributes to water absorbtion up to 75%. In properties of CFRP sheets and two-part epoxy
addition, it has been observed that the glass adhesive are listed in Table 2.
transition temperature of the adhesive is
reduced through plasticization. However, a Table 2: Material properties [17]
study conducted by Wu, L, Hoa, et.al,2004 [9 Properties CFRP(Acc Epoxy(Accordi
-ording to -ng to
]has shown that exposure to small amount of Manufactu Manufacturer)
moisture (<2%) contributes to enhancement of -rer )
Material MBrace Araldite 420
the curing rate of adhesives and it is a fact that Type CF130
enhances the bond strength of the composite.
Cure time N/A 7days
Generally penetration of water to CFRP/ steel
bond were caused to make a weak bond Set time N/A 24hours
strengthened [1]. The reason for the weakness is
Tensile 2600MPa 27.3MPa
a cohesive force (Hydrogen bond or valence Strength
bond) of adhesive molecules becoming weak
Thickness 0.146mm NA
due to polymer inflaton [10 ]. According to the
investigation of Mehran Gholami et al, 2013(a) Young’s 240GPa NA
the glass transition temperature can change due module

to moisture [11,12].Kumar S et al,2008 [13] have

found that water absorption caused reduced
the shear strength of the polymer material. 2.2 Specimen Preparation
Bocciarelli et.al. (2009) [14] have explained that
600 mm long steel I sections were selected.
adhesive -metal interface is the weakest point of the
An angle grinder was used for the surface
composite [14]. Alessio et al,(2012). [15] have preparation of selected samples and a
confirmed the conclusion. However, according grinded surface is shown in Fig.1 (a). Acetone
to Al-Shawaf et al, 2006 the effect of sub-zero was used for cleaning the surface to be
temperatures on the bond strength is negligible bonded. A thin layer of primer coat was
[16]. applied on the prepared and cleaned steel
2. Test Program surface according to manufacturer’s
guidelines. Primer consists of two parts (base
2.1. Materials and Testing Procedures
and the primer) and they were mixed into 1:1
Total 8 specimens were prepared using weight ratio. Samples were kept to cure
structural steel I-sections with dimensions 100 about 1 hour before bonding as shown in Fig.
mm height and 50 mm width. Flange and web 1(b). A thin layer of adhesive was uniformly
thicknesses are 5 mm and 4 mm, respectively. applied on top of the primed steel surfaces
The total length was 600 mm. The specimen after cure. CFRP material sheet was cut to the
details are listed in Table 1. explained dimensions (450 mm x 50 mm) and
it was bound to the steel beam with the hand
Table 1: The summary of the test programme layup method. The wet and dry bulb
Speci- No of Ambient Relati
-men sample Tempera -ve temperatures of surrounding environment
-ture(oC) Humi were recorded. The excess epoxy and air
-dity
(%)
bubbles were removed using a ribbed roller
S1 2 29 79 moving in the direction of fibers. The same
S2 2 27 90 procedure was repeated. The specimens were
kept for around more than 7 days.
S3 2 33 68
S4 2 NA NA

In this study CFRP- M130 sheets were used for

strengthening of steel I beam. The main
characteristics of carbon fibers are ultimate
(a) (b)
strength and Young’s modulus. Two-part
saturant was selected as adhesive. Material Figure 1: (a) Grinded surface, (b) After the
application of primer
19
 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, 2017

ICSECM2017-86

2.3 Test Setup and Procedure Table 3: Failure Load with RH &Temperature
The specimens were fixed on the CFTM-300D Test Temperatu Relative Maximum Failure
Series re/ 0C Humidity % Average Load(kN)
digital control flexure testing machine as shown numb Deflection/
in Fig 2(a).Typical specimens were attached to er mm

the test machine as shown in Fig 2(b). Each S1 29 79 3.82 89

specimen was loaded in a 300 kN capacity four
points bending machine with the rate of 0.5 S2 27 90 4.47 86

mm/min.Test specimens S1, S2, and S3 were S3 33 68 3.39 93

strengthened using CFRP sheet and the bond
length was 450 mm.The test series S4 kept as a
control test series.The bending load was
applied gradually until the specimen failed.
(a) (b)
Figure 2: (a) CFTM-300D Testing Apparatus,
(b) Test setup in CFTM-300D Testing Apparatus
3. Results and Discussions
The summary of the test results is shown in
Table 3. The maximum strength gain was
recorded in test specimens and the maximum
average value was 93 kN. The relative humidity
level in test series 3 was 68 %. Test specimens
from S1 were strengthened under 79 %
humidity level and average failure load was
reported as 89 kN. In the test series 2, samples
were installed at 90 % humidity level. Failure
load value was recorded as 86 kN. The lowest
failure load in this tested series has been
denoted in the series 3 and it was 93 kN at the
lowest selected humidity level.
Therefore the maximum bending capacity was
reported at lowest RH value. In general, it can
be concluded that the existence of strength and
RH values possess an inversely proportional
relationship with the tested ranges of humidity
level. Furthermore, can be concluded that the
highest bond performance is available at the
lowest RH value at the installation phase.
The relative humidity level in Sri Lanka is
comparatively high as a tropical climate.
According to the test result, CFRP material
installations under low humidity level can be
more benefitting than under the high moisture
level of the environment.
Controlled
S4 sample 5.40 61
(Without CFRP)
However moisture level is not an individual
factor affecting a bond performance. Because
real-world application decides on other factors
such as fluctuation of environment
temperature, alkali environment, and UV
effects. It may be combined effect for the final
results. Specially hygro-thermal (Moisture and
Temperature combination) effects is critical to
the bond performance [18]. Therefore the
estimated values may have a possibility to
deviate due to the effect of other parameters.
However, temperature fluctuation in this test
series occurred around the Glass Transition
temperature (Tg) of epoxy during the
installation process. It has recorded a minimum
temperature at 29 0C and maximum
temperature as 330C.The measured temperature
that indicates about 5 0C. In general, the glass
transition temperature (Tg) of epoxy adhesives
is between 40 0C and 70 0C[11]. Therefore, an
effect of the temperature fluctuation can be
considered as an insignificant influencing factor
for the bond performance. On the other hand
the recorded temperature is not achieved at the
glass transition temperature of the adhesive
material.
3.1. Crack Propagation and Failure Modes
It was identified as de-lamination and interface
de-bonding as the main failure mode. De-
lamination at the CFRP-steel interface, which
represents the weakest point of the composite
system. Interface de-bonding can be observed
at 90 % moisture level. The load should transfer
through the adhesive material. Due to moisture
effects bond becomes weaker. The result is
Interface de-bonding.

20
 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, 2017

ICSECM2017-86

humidity levels. The following observations

and conclusions are made:
1) The load capacity of steel I section was
enhanced from 41 % to 52.4% with
strengthening using a single layer of CFRP
sheet.
2) Deflection load capacity of steel I beam
Figure 3: Crack propagation zone under was enhanced from 17.2% to 37.2%
loading 3) When moisture level of atmosphere is
increased, the flexural performance
drastically decreases.
4) CFRP installation at the highest humidity
level (90%) is also recorded gaining a
significant strength (41 % strength
gain).Therefore it can perform in an even
higher humid environment also.
Acknowledgements
Figure 4: Normal modulus CFRP failure mode
(de-laminate /Interface de-bonding) I would like to express my gratitude towards
Finco Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka for the
Table 4 indicates the average failure load kind cooperation on providing CFRP
variation with failure modes. Delamination of materials. Specially, thank the laboratory
CFRP sheet was observed in the samples which staff of the University for their support on
was prepared at the lower and middle RH the initial test programme.
level. Interfacial de-bonding of CFRP was
observed through the samples which were References.
prepared at high RH level (90%). Glass Fiber [1] Hollaway, L. C. & Cadei, J.(2002). Progress
Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) layer can be in the technique of upgrading metallic
applied to minimize the moisture absorption. structures with advanced polymer
Theoretically, the failure mode is governed by composites. Progress in Structural
the stress level of bonding regions. Alessio et Engineering and Materials, Volume 4,
al,(2012) [19] have identified the failure mode pp. 131-148
depending factors. The author has noted the
[2] Bai, Y., Nguyen, T. C., Zhao, X. L. & Al-
significant effects of a modulus of elasticity of
Mahaidi, R.(2014). EnvironmentAssisted
CFRP, type of adhesive and thickness of the
Degradation of the Bond between Steel
adhesive layer.
and Carbon-FiberReinforced Polymer.
Table 4: The summary of test results Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering,
pp. 04014054-1-8
Test RH Failure Strength FM
Series % Load(kN) Change % [3] Collings, T.A., Harvey, R.J. and Dalziel,
A.W. (1993) ‘The use of elevated
S1 79 89 45.9 DL temperature in the structural testing of
S2 90 86 40.9 ID FRP components for simulating the
S3 68 93 52.4 DL effects of hot and wet environmental
S4 NA 61 NA NA exposure’, Journal of Composite
Materials in Civil Engineering
,Composites, 24(8), pp. 625–634.
4. Conclusions
[4] Hollaway, L.C,(2010). A review of the
The effects of humidity at installation phase present and future utilization of FRP
on the flexural performance of CFRP/steel composites in the civil infrastructure
composites were investigated under different with reference to their important in-

21
 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, 2017
ICSECM2017-86
service properties', Construction and
Building Materials, 24(12), pp. 2419–2445.
[5]Kumar, S.B., Sridhar, I., and Sivashanker,
S.,2008 ‘Influence of humid environment
on the performance of high strength
structural carbon fiber
composites’, Journal of Materials Science
and Engineering: A, 498(1-2), pp. 174–178.
[6]Zhang, A. Y., Li, D. H., & Zhang, D. X.
(2012). Effect of Moisture Absorption on
the Bending Strength of CFRP. Advanced
Materials Research,450-451, 482-485.
[7}Nguyen, T.-C., Bai, Y., Zhao, X.-L. and Al-
Mahaidi, R,(2012). ‘Durability of
steel/CFRP double strap joints exposed
to seawater, cyclic temperature, and
humidity', Journal of Composite
Structures, 94(5), pp. 1834–1845.
[8]Lettieri, M. and Frigione, M,(2012). ‘Effects of
the humid environment on thermal and
mechanical properties of a cold-curing
structural epoxy adhesive', Construction
and Building Materials, 30, pp. 753–760.
[9] Wu, L., Hoa, S.V. and Ton-That, M.-T.(2004).
‘Effects of water on the curing and
properties of epoxy adhesive used for the
bonding FRP composite sheet to
concrete', Journal of Applied Polymer
Science, 92(4), pp. 2261–2268.
[10] Yang Yong-xin, Yue Qing-rui, and Peng
Fu-ming EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
ON BOND BEHAVIOR OF CFRP TO
STEEL Central Research Institute of
Building and Construction, MCC Group,
China.
[11] Mehran Gholami a, Abdul Rahman Mohd
Sam a, Jamaluddin Mohamad Yatim a,
Mahmood Md Tahir b,(2013). A review
on steel/CFRP strengthening systems
focusing environmental performance
Journal of Construction and Building
Materials 47 pp. 301–310
[12] Keller T, Schollmayer M.,(2009). Through-
thickness performance of adhesive joints
between FRP bridge decks and steel
girders. Journal of Composite
Structures. ;87(3):232–241.
22
[13] Kumar S, Sridhar I, Sivashanker S,(2008).
Influence of humid environment on the
performance of high strength structural
carbon fiber composites. Journal of
Material Science and Engineering
A;498:174–8.
[14]Massimiliano Bocciarelli, Pierluigi Colombi
,Giulia Fava, Carlo Poggi(2009),Fatigue
performance of tensile steel members
strengthened with CFRP plates ,Journal
of Composite Structures 87, 334–343(f)
[15]Alessio Pipinato1, Carlo Pellegrino1 &
Claudio Modena1,(2012). ,Fatigue
Behaviour of Steel Bridge Joints
Strenghtened with FRP
Laminates,Journal of Modern Applied
Science; Vol. 6, No. 10
[16] Al-Shawaf, A., Al-Mahaidy, R. & Zhao, X.,
(2006). Bond Characteristics of
CFRP/Steel double lap shear joints at
sub-zero temperature exposure. Miami,
Florida, USA, 3rd International
Conference on FRP composites in Civil
Engineering (CICE).
[17]H. Liu, R. Al-Mahaidi, and X. Zhao,
(2009)."Experimental study of fatigue
cracks growth behaviour in adhesively
reinforced steel structures" Journal of
Composite Structures. Vol. 90, pp. 12-20.
[18]Aoki Y, Yamada K, Ishikawa T,(2008). Effect
of hygrothermal condition compression
after impact strength of CFRP laminates.
Journal of Composite Science and
Technology; Vol 68:1376–83.
[19]Alessio Pipinato1, Carlo Pellegrino1 &
Claudio Modena1,(2012).Fatigue
Behaviour of Steel Bridge Joint
Strengthened with FRP Laminates,
Journal of Modern Applied Science; Vol.
6, No. 10.