In a significant stride towards bolstering the structural integrity of corroded steel beams, a team of researchers led by Amin Shabani Ammari from the Faculty of Marine Engineering at Chabahar Maritime University has unveiled a novel approach that combines carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) layers with an innovative end anchorage system. This method, detailed in their study published in *Case Studies in Construction Materials*, offers promising solutions for the maritime industry, where corrosion is a persistent challenge.
Corrosion in steel beams is a critical issue, particularly in marine environments where structures are constantly exposed to saltwater and harsh conditions. The research team conducted experiments on six steel beams, some of which were corroded to varying degrees and then reinforced with CFRP. The results were striking. In beams with 50% corrosion, the CFRP reinforcement effectively compensated for the strength loss. Even in beams with 100% corrosion, the strength was only 4% lower than that of the control beam after reinforcement. “Reinforcing with CFRP compensated for the strength reduction,” noted Shabani Ammari, highlighting the effectiveness of the method.
One of the key innovations in this study is the development of a new end anchorage system. This system prevents CFRP slippage, ensuring that the full tensile capacity of the CFRP is utilized. The research also employed numerical modeling to validate the experimental results, which were then used for parametric and machine learning studies. The machine learning predictions showed that the CatBoost algorithm had the highest accuracy, with an R2 score of 0.954. This indicates a high level of predictability and reliability in the method.
The study also revealed that corrosion in the upper flange of the beams caused the most severe strength reduction, up to 39.7%. However, this reduction was effectively mitigated by the CFRP reinforcement. The feature importance analysis further showed that the location and level of corrosion are the most influential factors affecting the reduction in the beam’s capacity.
For the maritime industry, these findings present significant commercial impacts and opportunities. The ability to reinforce corroded steel beams with CFRP not only extends the lifespan of marine structures but also reduces the need for costly and time-consuming replacements. This can lead to substantial savings in maintenance costs and downtime for ships and offshore platforms.
Moreover, the use of machine learning in predicting the effectiveness of CFRP reinforcement opens up new avenues for predictive maintenance and proactive structural health monitoring. This can help maritime professionals make informed decisions about when and where to apply reinforcement, optimizing both cost and structural integrity.
In summary, the research led by Shabani Ammari offers a robust solution to a longstanding problem in the maritime sector. By combining experimental, numerical, and machine learning methods, the study provides a comprehensive approach to flexural strengthening of corroded steel beams. This not only enhances the safety and longevity of marine structures but also presents significant economic benefits. As the maritime industry continues to grapple with the challenges of corrosion, this research offers a beacon of hope and a path forward.