Potential Use of Fibre-Steel Laminates in Hybrid Deck Systems

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

A.F. Dreaves Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

M. Pavlovic (supervisor 1)
M. Veljkovic (supervisor 2)
F.P. van der Meer (supervisor 2)
Ronald Grefhorst (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2018 Alex Dreaves
FRP GFRP FSL Fibre-Steel
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Published Date

13-07-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

Over the last two decades Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) constructions have infiltrated the infrastructure market, particularly in the Netherlands. This is due to the increased number of short-span pedestrian and cycle bridges which are used to traverse canals and waterways. FRP bridges are desirable as they are light-weight, require low maintenance, are easily pre-fabricated and can be installed in a matter of hours.
However, the main drawback of FRP constructions is that they lack stiffness meaning they are often vastly over-designed with regards to strength. The stiffness of glass fibre-reinforced polymers (GFRP), one of the most common types of FRP and the focus of this thesis, is approximately 5 times less than steel (1). For this reason, it is desirable to increase the stiffness of GFRP members; one way of doing such is to add a stiffer material to the laminate to create a hybrid-composite material. Hybrid-composites look to combine the advantageous properties of two materials, to produce a material superior to both of its individual component materials.
This project focuses on the development and feasibility review of a fibre-steel hybrid-composite material, combining GFRP and steel into one laminate. A review of the state of the art of hybrid-composites guides the reader to potential problems that may arise with this combination. Through the testing and analytical estimation of the properties of the material and its component materials, the behaviour of the fibre-steel laminate (FSL) is discussed and evaluated. Using the established properties, a design case study of a hybrid deck system reviews the economic feasibility of the use of FSL ahead of the GFRP equivalent.
The results of this two-fold approach form recommendations for the next steps of the investigation into the use of this material. It is recommended that the main focus of subsequent studies revolve around the improvement of the steel-GFRP interface as this was found to be a weak point in the material given the difference in in-plane properties of the two materials.