REPAIR AND STRENGTHENING OF STEEL STRUCTURES USING CFRP COMPOSITES: AN OVERVIEW

Since decades, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have been used for strengthening of concrete structures, for which the required design theories and techniques have been well developed. However, strengthening of steel structures still requires further development of relevant theories and techniques. In this paper, the main differences in design requirements for CFRP strengthening of concrete and steel members are discussed. In addition, an overview on the research at Empa on non-prestressed/prestressed bonded/ubonded strengthening systems using CFRP plates and rods for steel girders, plates and connections is given, and, a few projects for real application of the developed systems in steel bridges are briefly explained.