A research programme into the strengthening and life extension of tunnel supports using carbon fibre composites is presented. Details are given of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) beam that will be used to relieve the load on the existing tunnel support and also provide an alternative load path to support the loads above the tunnel. The progressive damage non-linear finite element analysis of the beam is explained, as is the static and fatigue testing of the beam. A complementary test programme of coupon testing to examine the degradation of CFRP in aggressive conditions is also briefly described. It is shown that the technology developed is applicable to other infrastructure applications.
BarnesF.DierA. F.Carbon fibre composites for the strengthening, repair and modification of offshore structures. In International Conference onAdvances in Marine Structures III, DERA Rosyth, May 1997.
2.
PahdiG. S.ShenoiR. A.MoyS. S.J.HawkinsG. L.Progressive failure and ultimate collapse of laminated composite plates in bendingComposite Structs, 1998, 40 (3–4), 277–291.
3.
MoyS. S. J.ShenoiR. A.AllenH. G.FengZ-N.PahdiG. S.Progressive damage analysis of GRP panels under extreme pressure loading. In Second International Conference onThin Walled Structures, Singapore, December 1998, pp. 305–331.
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CFRP beam—static load test. Test rig details, test results and observations. PIT Project Internal Report, DML/PIT/99042700 Rev A, Structural Statics Limited, May 1999.
5.
MoyS. S. J. (Ed.) A Design Guide for the Use of Composite Materials in Strengthening Metallic Structures, 2001 (Thomas Telford Limited).
