Evaluation of Prospective Use of Existed CFRP-Strengthened Concrete Pipes in Forest Areas: Assessment of Their Structural Stability and Possible Re-Use

Abstract

Forest traffic networks receive considerable structural stress from supporting heavy vehicles and machinery. Usually, in forest areas, artificial waterways are constructed on the side of the road and feature open constructions, so that solid materials blocking the waterways may be easily cleared. The use of closed bridges at vehicle crossing points, though infrequent, necessitates the use of installing closed water pipelines of large diameters. However, these closed, reinforced concrete (RC) water pipelines suffer structural damage over time. Here, we propose the strengthening of existed old concrete pipes using sheets of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) at increasing levels. The assessment of the results, which were conducted in ABAQUS, is done in light of the stress tests and suggests that the use of a simple, cost-effective method, such as the installation of composite materials, can potentially increase the structural strength of these pipes and allow their re-use for forest roads.