Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Structures Using Fiber-ReinforcedPolymer (FRP) Composites

摘要

A Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specification governing advanced fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites would facilitate their use in civil infrastructure. Such a specification should take into account the orthotropic nature and variabilities in mechanical and structural properties of composites, their sensitivity to moisture, temperature, and ultraviolet effects, and dependence of strength and stiffness on rate of application and duration of structural loads. These issues can be addressed by modeling structural parameters as random variables and loads as random processes, and by requiring design for limit states that reflect the possibility of failure by either progressive damage accumulation or overload. Practical LRFD design criteria can be developed to reflect such considerations using structural reliability principles and tools.