Paper number 820
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RESEARCH IN PROGRESS: FATIGUE OF CFRP COMPOSITES |
Cornelia E. Demers, Ph.D.1, Amir Abdelgadir2
1Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
2Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA
| Summary | For bridge structures, fatigue is an important load condition. The fatigue life diagram for unidirectional CFRP composites is shown. This diagram represents the 95% lower confidence level and is useful in conservatively estimating the fatigue life of the CFRP composites when used as a sole structural material. For hybrid systems, understanding the fatigue behavior of the individual materials is relevant to understanding system behavior. The first test in a series on flexural fatigue testing of steel beams reinforced with CFRP composites adhesively bonded to the tension flange is discussed. The work in progress is presented including laboratory test results obtained to-date. This project demonstrates the positive strengthening effect of CFRP composites to steel bridge girders. |
Keywords | CFRP composite, steel, fatigue, hybrid system. |