In recent years, the fabrication technologies for the production of advanced polymer composites have been revolutionised by sophisticated manufacturing techniques. These methods have enabled polymer composite materials to produce good quality laminates with minimal voids and accurate fibre alignment.
This book familiarises and provides a background to the understanding and use of advanced polymer composites in the civil infrastructure; numerous examples have been provided to illustrate the use and versatility of the material. Furthermore, the book discusses the current fabrication techniques, design methods and formulae for the design of structural composite systems. In addition it discusses the fundamentals of geosynthetics used in geotechnical engineering. The book introduces the fibres and matrices that are used to manufacture composites, their mechanical and in-service properties and their long term loading characteristics; all these properties are specifically associated with the construction industry. The chapters then discuss the design aspects for 'all composite' units, as well as systems used for the renewal of civil infrastructure. Finally, the book demonstrated the unique possibilities of combining composites with conventional materials to form units in which the various materials making up the unit are loaded in the mode that specifically suits their mechanical characteristics.

The in situ rehabilitation or upgrading of reinforced concrete members using bonded steel plates is an effective, convenient and economic method of improving structural performance. However, disadvantages inherent in the use of steel have stimulated research into the possibility of using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in its place, providing a non-corrosive, more versatile strengthening system.
This book presents a detailed study of the flexural strengthening of reinforced and prestressed concrete members using fibre reinforces polymer composite plates. It is based to a large extent on material developed or provided by the consortium which studied the technology of plate bonding to upgrade structural units using carbon fibre / polymer composite materials. The research and trial tests were undertaken as part of the ROBUST project, one of several ventures in the UK Government's DTI-LINK Structural Composites Programme.
The book has been designed for practising structural and civil engineers seeking to understand the principles and design technology of plate bonding, and for final year undergraduate and postgraduate engineers studying the principles of highway and bridge engineering and structural engineering.
Detailed study of the flexural strengthening of reinforced and prestressed concrete members using fibre reinforced polymer compositesContains in-depth case histories