FRP Composite Structures

Book excerpt: The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in infrastructure systems has grown considerably in recent years because of the durability of composite materials. New constituent materials, manufacturing techniques, design approaches, and construction methods are being developed and introduced in practice by the FRP composites community to cost-effectively build FRP structural systems. FRP Composite Structures: Theory, Fundamentals, and Design brings clarity to the analysis and design of these FRP composite structural systems to advance the field implementation of structural systems with enhanced durability and reduced maintenance costs. It develops simplified mathematical models representing the behavior of beams and plates under static loads, after introducing generalized Hooke’s Law for materials with anisotropic, orthotropic, transversely isotropic, and isotropic properties. Subsequently, the simplified models coupled with design methods including FRP composite material degradation factors are introduced by solving a wide range of practical design problems. This book: Explores practical and novel infrastructure designs and implementations Uses contemporary codes recently approved Includes FRP case studies from around the world Ensures readers fully understand the basic mechanics of composite materials before involving large-scale number crunching Details several advanced topics including aging of FRPs, typical failures of structures including joints, and design simplifications without loss of accuracy and emphasis on failure modes Features end of chapter problems and solved examples throughout. This textbook is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students and industry professionals focused on the analysis and design of FRP composite structural members. It features PowerPoint lecture slides and a solutions manual for adopting professors.