Experimental And Analytical Evaluation Of Corroded Steel Beams Repaired With Fiber-reinforced Polymers

Abstract

Steel structures operating in aggressive environments are highly susceptible to corrosion, which can significantly degrade strength, stiffness, and overall structural performance. Accurate assessment and effective repair of deteriorated members are therefore essential to ensure safety and extend service life. This study presents a comprehensive experimental and analytical investigation of corroded wide-flange steel beams retrofitted with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The experimental program involved full-scale four-point bending tests on chemically corroded beams, focusing on damage in the tension flange and web to evaluate structural behavior under realistic corrosion conditions and to assess the effectiveness of carbon (CFRP) and basalt (BFRP) fiber-reinforced polymers in restoring structural performance. The experimental results indicated that 20% corrosion in the bottom flange and web reduced the yielding load by approximately 10% and 1%, respectively. FRP strengthening was shown to recover load-carrying capacity and enhance ductility; however, fracture of FRP sheets limited the achievable strength gains beyond the original capacity. Complementing the experimental study, an analytical moment–curvature model was developed to predict the nonlinear flexural response of corroded and retrofitted beams. The model incorporated corrosion-induced section loss, FRP reinforcement, and a fracture-energy-based debonding criterion to account for interfacial failure. The analytical results showed good agreement with experimental observations, with reasonable prediction of stiffness and ultimate capacity.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Publication Status

Full Text Access

Comments

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Grant None

Keywords and Phrases

Analytical; Corrosion; Experimental; Fiber-Reinforced Polymers; Steel

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1873-7323; 0141-0296

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2026

Link to Full Text

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