Form-finding framework for monocoque sandwich composite bridges: An optimisation tool for the preliminary design of bridges

FRP is increasingly utilised in the built environment, following successful implementations in the aerospace and marine industry. However, it exhibits poor stiffness and stability compared to conventional materials such as steel, making it challenging to satisfy serviceability and comfort requirements. Optimising FRP to address these challenges...

Impact of the Stiffness Characteristics of Wrapped Composite Joints on Eigenfrequencies of Wind Turbine Jacket Support Structures

This report investigates the influence of joint stiffness on the eigenfrequencies of offshore wind turbine supporting jacket structures. The joint is investigated individually, within the context of a jacket structure, and within the context of the entire offshore wind turbine structure. These analyses were specifically conducted for the case of...

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...

Steel weight reduction in offshore wind jacket structures by wrapped FRP joints

This report investigates the potential reduction of steel weight for offshore wind turbine supporting jacket structures, if conventional welded joints are replaced by innovative wrapped FRP joints. This new type of connection is under development by Dr. Marko Pavlovic at the Delft University of Technology, and shows outstanding fatigue...

Shaping Forces: Review of two Bridge Design Methodologies towards Architectural and Structural Symbiosis

This paper investigates the symbiotic relationship between the architectural appearance of a bridge and the structural design. The research is done by reviewing and comparing the design methodology employed by the first author in the conceptualization of two of his bridges; an early work from 1997 and a recent work from 2017. The review of the...

Graded Structures: The design of a grid shell that uses gradual densification to enhance the performance of the overall structure

This graduation thesis aimed to find an answer to the following question: 'How to design a grid shell for the canopy of a stadium that uses performance based densification to enhance the performance of the structure?'. De Nieuwe Kuip in Rotterdam is used as a case study to put the findings into practice. In order to answer this question a...

Feasibility Study: FRP Jetties: Investigating the Technical- and Economic Feasibility and Sustainability Aspects of Fiber-reinforced Plastic Jetties

Fiber-reinforcedplastic (FRP) is an upcoming material in the construction industry due tocharacteristic material properties such as its high resistance to corrosion andhigh strength to density ratio. Also, it is...

FRP Structures: A canopy in Kotzia square

The objective of my graduation project was to understand the lack of loadbearing Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) structures and why in most of the example FRP components are being used as cladding. In order to do that I decided to design an FRP loadbearing canopy, which had to be a shell structure with large spans between its support points. In...

Dynamic Behaviour of Large Hydraulic Structures in FRP

The demand for the reduction of maintenance of structures especially those in marine environments is increasing and more is asked of structures in terms of durability and capacity. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) could be a solution to reduce the maintenance of these structures, because of its high durability and as an ad-vantages lighter...

Feasibility study on heavy-traffic fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bascule bridges

The material properties of fibre reinforced polymer composites fundamentally differ from construction steel, and therefore a different approach is required in the design of structures composed of this material. Simple substitution of steel elements by composite counterparts will inevitably result in inefficient structures. When the material’s...

Architectural engineering of FRP bridges

This paper deals with the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP's) in architectural and structural bridge design. The challenges and opportunities that come with this relatively new material are discussed. An inventory is made of recent engineers' solutions in FRP, followed by a discussion on architectural application of FRP's derived from the...

New canalization of the Nederrijn and Lek: Design of a weir equipped with fibre reinforced polymer gates which is designed using a structured design methodology based on Systems Engineering

The Nederrijn and Lek are presently dammed by three weirs, build in 1960 till 1970, which are located near the village of Driel, Amerongen, and Hagestein after which they are named. Weir Driel regulates the distribution of water at the IJsselkop for dammed conditions (discharges lower than 2350 m3/s at Lobith). A minimum discharge of 285 m3/s...

Composite - Hotel Design

Experimental hotel design based on the specific properties of FRP materials.

Feasibility study on fiber reinforced polymer cylindrical truss bridges for heavy traffic

Considering the recent increase in the use of fiber reinforced polymers in the civil engineering industry in general and in the bridge engineering industry in particular, as well as the recently more and more applied cylindrical truss bridge type, this research focuses on the question whether it is possible to combine fiber reinforced polymers...