Rebar section loss and carbon fiber reinforced plastic reinforcement effects on nonlinear behavior and ultimate load of cooling towers

The present paper quantifies the adverse effects that can generate rebar section loss, induced by corrosion, especially on the bearing capacity of nuclear power plant cooling towers under extreme wind conditions. Numerical simulations, taking into account, appearance of concrete cracks and their evolution via an appropriate material concrete law and rebar's yielding, are conducted. Different levels of corrosion are considered which are approximated by rebar section loss. Finally, to restore the integrity of these structures, composite material such as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) layer is modelled. The enhancement of the bearing capacity of the damaged structure compared to the undamaged structure is evaluated in the pre- and post-cracking regime. The main conclusion drawn from the numerical results is that the CFRP reinforcement is very effective for improving the integrity of RC cooling tower shells even when the latter present an advanced corrosion rate.