STRENGTHENING OF TUNNEL SUPPORTS USING CARBON FIBRE COMPOSITES

摘要

A research programme into the strengthening and life extension of tunnel supports using carbon fibre composites is presented. Details are given of a CFRP beam that will be used to relieve the load on the existing tunnel support and also provide an alternative load path to support the loads above the tunnel. The progressive damage non-linear finite element analysis of the beam is explained as is the static and fatigue testing of the beam. A complementary test programme of coupon testing to examine the degradation of CFRP in aggressive conditions is also briefly described. It is shown that the technology developed is applicable to other infrastructure applications.