Institution of Structural Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
The purpose of this study group is to provide a forum for discussion on matters relating to advanced composites, which are defined as those materials containing continuous fibres as the strength element, usually, but not always, embedded in a resin matrix. These materials are often made in the form of pultrusions, filament windings, hand lay-ups or as ropes. They are finding uses as reinforcing or prestressing elements for concrete, either internally or externally; as completely composite elements, for example in bridge decks; as ropes and cables in bridge and marine applications, and in soil reinforcement systems.
The group acts as a link with those with similar interests in Europe, and also contributes to a FRP International, a quarterly Newsletter organised jointly by ASCE and ACI (in USA), CSCE in Canada and JSCE in Japan.
See notes regarding the work of IRACC-96 and the proposed European Network.
The group can suggest speakers for Institution Branch Meetings on relevant topics.
For further information, or to be put onto the mailing lists either for the study group or FRP International, please contact the convenor, Dr Chris Burgoyne, at the address given below.
The WWW links below should point to various sites related to advanced composites.
If any group member wishes to put links to their own pages, or knows of other pages which should be referenced here, please let me know.
Chris Burgoyne - University of Cambridge - work on parallel-lay ropes and FRP for prestressing of concrete
Len Hollaway - University of Surrey - work on composite structural elements and plate bonding
Tension Technology International. Use of ropes and cables for marine and other applications.
ACI-440 State of the Art Report by Committee 440 of the American Concrete Institute
IRACC. International Research on advanced composites in construction. Aims to maintain a list of all active research and to provide a forum for discussions about work that is required. Data base held in Italy - link can be slow. Includes a form where new research programmes can be added to the database.
Canadian Advanced Composite Materials Consultants Ltd. Includes deatils of an all composites bridge in Nova Scotia (includes pictures - can be slow).
ISIS Canada. The Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence on Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures. Closely allied to the Canadian ACMBS network. Pages can be VERY slow since they include large pictures, but you need these to go on to subsequent pages.
Australian Composite Structures Society
Center for Composite Materials, Delaware
Composite Materials Research Group, Univ. of Mississipi. Information on Pultrusions.
Infrastructure applications of composite materials Includes references to some UK Structures!
Composites Center at Penn State University. Contains details of several research programmes.
Wound Up Composite Cycles manufactures functional and practical composite bicycle components in Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr C J Burgoyne, Engineering Dept, University of Cambridge, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1PZ
email cjb@eng.cam.ac.uk
tel 01223-332698, fax 01223-332662
(last updated 22nd October 1996)