Carbon Fiber Reinforcing Polymers as Negative Moment Reinforcing in Repair of Composite Steel Parking Deck

A two level parking facility formed the base of an apartment complex. The structural system incorporated a composite-steel deck for the upper level which provides bottom reinforcing for the structural slab. Other than Welded Wire Fabric (WWF), no top reinforcing was provided over the beams or girders. An inappropriate choice of construction for a parking deck due to the potential for corrosion from chloride contamination. The problem was compounded by inadequate reinforcing, poor drainage and no waterproofing. The result was a severely deteriorated deck. Slab cuts would allow the installation of top reinforcing as required to develop the negative moment based on continuity were not feasible because the electrical conduit for the building was buried in the slab. Therefore, CFRP was used to save the existing structural system and minimize repair costs. Design included stress, shear strength and membrane integrity. Field testing was successfully conducted. The result was an innovative use of the material which decreased the severity and cost of repairs.