Experimental Evaluation of the Structural Integrity of the Repairs for Corrosion-Damaged Marine Piles

Corrosion damage is the mam cause of deterioration for reinforced concrete
marine structures. Given the current economic downturn, it has become increasingly
important to repair existing structures with techniques that prolong their life-cycle. The
process to identify suitable repairs is affected by the lack of a consistent methodology to
predict the outcome of the repairs. This investigation intends to compare the
performance of seven different repairs, in terms of corrosion resistance, structural
integrity, and cost-effectiveness. Following initial exposure to corrosion, the specimens
were repaired using the proposed techniques. They were then tested for durability under
simulated tidal conditions with periodic corrosion monitoring. The structural integrity
was evaluated by crack scoring and ultimate load testing, and a comprehensive evaluation
matrix was prepared, to determine which repairs were most adequate for corrosion
damage. The results of this investigation substantiate that the repairs including carbon
wrapping, HDPE jacketing, and MMFX steel, outperformed the rest of the repairs.