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Durability of composites for civil structural applications

Edited by V M Karbhari, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA

Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering No. 22

 - provides a thorough overview of key aspects of the durability of composites
 - examines mechanisms of degradation such as aqueous solutions, moisture, fatigue and wear
 - discusses ways of using FRP composites, including strengthening and rehabilitating existing structures
 - a fundamental guide to the use of FRP composites within civil and structural engineering

Given the increasing use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in structural civil engineering, there is a vital need for critical information related to the overall durability and performance of these new materials under harsh and changing conditions. Durability of composites for civil and structural applications provides a thorough overview of key aspects of the durability of FRP composites for designers and practising engineers.

Part one discusses general aspects of composite durability. Chapters examine mechanisms of degradation such as moisture, aqueous solutions, UV radiation, temperature, fatigue and wear. Part two then discusses ways of using FRP composites, including strengthening and rehabilitating existing structures with FRP composites, and monitoring techniques such as structural health monitoring.

Durability of composites for civil and structural applications provides practising engineers, decision makers and students with a useful and fundamental guide to the use of FRP composites within civil and structural engineering.

ISBN 1 84569 035 4
ISBN-13: 978 1 84569 035 9
July 2007
384 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£155.00 / US$265.00 / €185.00

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About the editor

Professor Vistasp M. Karbhari is the Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA, where he is also a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is widely regarded for his research expertise on infrastructure renewal and multi-threat mitigation (including blast), durability and damage-tolerance, processing of composites, sustainability, damage prognosis, and structural health monitoring.

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Contents

PART 1 ASPECTS OF COMPOSITE DURABILITY
PART 2 APPLICATIONS AND MONITORING OF COMPOSITES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Introduction: The use of composites in civil structural applications
V M Karbhari, University of California San Diego, USA
 - Introduction
 - Application in civil infrastructure
 - Durability
 - Myths and mysteries
 - References

PART 1 ASPECTS OF COMPOSITE DURABILITY

Fabrication, quality and service life issues for composites in civil engineering
V M Karbhari, University of California San Diego, USA
 - Introduction
 - Fabrication processes
 - Quality control during manufacture
 - Exposure environments
 - References

Durability of composites in aqueous environments
C Helbling and V M Karbhari, University of California San Diego, USA
 - Introduction
 - Influence of moisture at the constituent level
 - Mass uptake profiles
 - Effect on mechanical and physical properties
 - synergistic effects of stress and hygrothermal exposure
 - Summary and conclusions
 - References

Durability of composites in freeze-thaw conditions
V M Karbhari, University of California San Diego, USA
 - Introduction
 - Overall effects
 - Consideration of hygrothermal effects
 - References

Durability of composites exposed to ultraviolet radiation
J W Chin, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA
 - Introduction
 - UV effects on polymers
 - UV effects on FRP composites
 - Testing methodologies
 - Mitigation strategies
 - References and sources of further information

Durability of composites exposed to elevated temperature and fire
A P Mouritz, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
 - Introduction
 - Combustion of polymer composites
 - Fire reaction properties of polymer composites
 - flame retardant polymer composites
 - Structural properties of polymer composites in fire
 - Fire protection coatings polymer composites
 - Fire safety regulations
 - Future fire resistant composite materials
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

Durability of composites under fatigue loads
A Zhou, R Pingry, J Cain, J J Lesko and S Case, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA
 - Introduction
 - Fatigue behaviour of civil engineering composites
 - Predictive/descriptive modelling of fatigue
 - Reliability-based design for fatigue
 - Conclusions
 - References

Creep and time-dependent response of composites
L S Lee, Louisiana Tech University, USA
 - Introduction
 - Creep and relaxation
 - Modelling long-term behaviour
 - Accelerated aging
 - Synergistic effects on time-dependent response
 - Effects at the structural level
 - Future trends
 - References

Durability of composites due to wear and erosion
A P Mouritz, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
 - Introduction
 - Gouging and abrasion wear
 - Erosive wear
 - Conclusions and future trends
 - References

PART 2 APPLICATIONS AND MONITORING OF COMPOSITES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Fibre-reinforced polymer composite structures and structural components: current applications and durability issues
L Hollaway, University of Surrey, UK
 - Introduction
 - ‘All0composite’ structures
 -  ‘All-composite’ bridges
 - External strengthening
 - Seismic retrofit
 - Tendons
 - Rebars – exposure to concrete environments
 - Bridge decks
 - Girders and profiles
 - Observations
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

Reinforcement of concrete using fibre-reinforced polymer composites
B Benmokrane and M Robert, University of Sherbrooke, Canada
 - Introduction
 - Durability concerns
 - Principal environments affecting FRP internal reinforcement durability
 - Design and application recommendations
 - Conclusions and future trends
 - References

External strengthening of structures using fibre-reinforced polymer composites
J J Myers, University of Missouri-Rolla, USA
 - Introduction
 - Definition and types of environments
 - Retrofit and external strengthening of flexural members
 - Seismic retrofit and external strengthening of columns
 - Design and use recommendations
 - Future trends and research needs for the durability of external FRP strengthening systems
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Rehabilitation of concrete structures using fibre-reinforced polymer composites: Identifying potential defects
H Kaiser, V M Karbhari, University of California San Diego and C Sikorsky, California Department of Transportation, USA
 - Introduction
 - Defects in composite materials
 - Defects occurring during rehabilitation
 - Effect or defects
 - Use of NDE/NDT
 - Future trends
 - References

Structural health monitoring and field evaluation of composite durability
A A Mufti, University of Manitoba and L A Bisby, Queen’s University Kingston, Canada
 - Introduction
 - Need for structural health monitoring
 - Civionics
 - Field applications and service-life determination
 - Future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References