Experimental evaluation of steel beams with mechanical section reduction retrofitted with fiber polymers

Steel elements working in a harsh environment can be exposed to corrosion that degrades their performance and threatens the integrity of the whole structure. Recent studies propose using carbon (CFRP) and basalt (BFRP) fiber–reinforced polymers to repair corroded steel cross sections; however, most of these studies have not explored many of the structural characteristics, including ductility. In this study, we conduct a series of full-scale experimental tests to investigate the impact of corrosion, represented as mechanical section reduction, on steel beams as well as the impact of repairing the beams using CFRP and BFRP in enhancing the beams’ structural performance. Mechanical section reduction, introduced to the flange and web elements, is used to establish a baseline dataset that captures the impact of repairs in the absence of corrosion. Four-point bending loading conditions are utilized for all tested beams. The results show that the reduction of the flange and web section lowers the beams’ yielding load by 10% and 8%, respectively, compared with a beam with a full cross section. Utilizing CFRP and BFRP patches can partially restore the corroded beams’ ductility; however, the BFRP is outperforming the CFRP in improving their ultimate strength by 10% and enhancing their ductility by 10%.