A strong approach to reinforcement

摘要

Many steel reinforced concrete structures, such as bridges, buildings and multi-storey car parks, need upgrading or repairing during their service life because of corrosion attacks, changes in service loads due to modification, new regulations or damage caused by earthquakes. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates based on epoxy resins and glass or carbon fibres were used to repair bridges in Europe, Japan and the USA. Recent earthquakes in Japan, California and Italy have accelerated the adoption of composites for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and buildings. In Japan, aramid fibres and, in particular, Kevlar~® brand fibre, have been evaluated as part of large test programmes and are now used for the strengthening of bridge columns.