Method of reinforcing stiffened metal plates

摘要

A method of reinforcing a metal panel 10 of an existing structure comprises attaching a reinforcing metal layer 20 to said metal panel in a spaced apart relation to form a cavity between the inner surfaces of the panels, then injecting an intermediate layer of uncured plastics material 40 into the cavity and curing the plastics material so that it adheres to the inner surfaces of the panels. The metal layer which may be between 10mm and 20mm thick may be spaced from the panel by adhered or welded spacers 32. The method may be used to reinforce metal panels in a ships decks, bulkheads or cargo holds, in tunnel linings, in bridge decks or in containment vessels.