Feasibility of bolted connectors in hybrid FRP-steel structures

Due to the low weight and excellent durability of composite materials, Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) decks mounted on steel superstructures are becoming increasingly common in engineering practice. Bolted joints are generally used to facilitate connections between an FRP deck and steel girders in road bridges. The connections are subjected...

Feasibility of Bolted Connectors in Hybrid FRP-Steel Structures

Due to the low weight and excellent durability of composite materials, Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) decks mounted on steel superstructures are becoming all the more common in engineering practice. Bolted joints are generally used to facilitate connections between an FRP deck and steel girders in road bridges. The connections are subjected...

Push-out behaviour of demountable injected vs. blind-bolted connectors in FRP decks

The main challenge for realizing competitive hybrid steel-FRP structures, such as bridges, carparks, is to make the steel and FRP components work together. In this study shear resistance, stiffness and ductility of three types of demountable bolted shear connectors are examined. Two blind-bolted M20 shear connectors and a novel, injected...

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...

Tensile and shear resistance of bolted connectors in steel-FRP hybrid beams

Demountable connectors have been rarely applied in steel-FRP hybrid structures due to the lack of research, which could prove their reliable structural performance. In typical applications, e.g. in multi-girder hybrid decks, the connectors are not only subjected to longitudinal shear forces, but also to substantial tensile forces originated...