Investigation of buckling capacity behaviors of corroded tanks

Research on the principles of preserving the structural integrity of steel elements through various strengthening methods continues to be a topic of interest. The use of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) in strengthening steel elements has rapidly become widespread, with many experimental studies focusing on this topic. In this experimental study, the effect of strengthening with CFRP on the buckling strength of thin-walled cylindrical steel tanks subjected to corrosion-induced reduction in buckling strength, filled with different ratio hydrochloric acid solutions, was investigated. Six samples of thin-walled cylindrical steel tanks were tested. The cylindrical specimens are 400 mm in height and diameter, with a thickness of 0,45 mm. Among these test specimens, one was subjected to buckling test without CFRP, while the other was covered with CFRP fabric. The remaining four specimens were subjected to corrosion. Two of the corroded specimens were exposed to a 2,5% hydrochloric acid solution, while the other two were exposed to a 5% solution. CFRP application was applied to one specimen exposed to 2,5% corrosion and one exposed to 5% corrosion. The experimental data obtained from the buckling tests conducted on the six test specimens were compared with the Ross, Jawad, and Ventsel and Krauthammer theories calculated theoretically in the literature. As a result of the buckling tests, a significant improvement in the buckling strength was observed when CFRP reinforcement was applied to the cylindrical specimens subjected to corrosion-induced reduction in buckling strength due to exposure to hydrochloric acid.