1. The tests confirmed the gradual build up of stiffness as the adhesive cures and bond develops between the steel and the carbon plate. 2. Cyclic load during adhesive cure will have an effect on the final stiffness of the reinforced beam. In the tests reported when the maximum cyclic load was 34kN there was no reduction but when the load was 42kN and greater there was significant reduction. 3. Bond will fail to develop if the deformation of the adhesive during cure is too great. However it is not possible to quote a limiting value because of the variability in the test results. 4. It is prudent to limit the shear stress in the adhesive layer to a maximum of IN/mm~2. 5. The shear strength of the adhesive is reduced more at the ends of the beam where the slip during cyclic load is greatest. At the centre of the beam where the slip is theoretically zero there is no reduction in strength compared to manufacturers quoted values. 6. Further testing will show the effect on the collapse load of the reduced stiffness of the steel-carbon interface.
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