Static, fatigue and creep performance of blind-bolted connectors in shear experiments on steel-FRP joints

As traffic loads are ever increasing and bridge infrastructure is ageing, existing materials and connection methods used in renovation and new construction projects are reaching their limits. New materials, such as Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) in the form of hollow decks can be a competitive solution due to good resistance to fatigue and...

Conventional vs. reinforced resin injected connectors’ behaviour in static, fatigue and creep experiments on slip-resistant steel-FRP joints

Due to constantly increasing traffic loads and ageing infrastructure, innovative materials for implementation in renovation and new bridge construction projects are gaining attention. One such innovation is hybrid structures consisting of Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite decks connected to a steel girder(s) superstructure. By...

Modelling of environmental ageing of polymers and polymer composites—durability prediction methods

Polymers and polymer composites are negatively impacted by environmental ageing, reducing their service lifetimes. The uncertainty of the material interaction with the environment compromises their superior strength and stiffness. Validation of new composite materials and structures often involves lengthy and expensive testing programs....

Fracture and Failure of Adhesives

This article presents an overview of methods for analyzing the facture and failure of adhesives. Special attention is given to stress analysis in adhesive bonds, as the difficulty of performing an accurate stress analysis is a major limitation of many failure analysis methods. The article also covers the effect of manufacturing and...