ABSTRACT

The new Australian Bridge Design Standard AS5100-2017 provides guidance on the design of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures using fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRP). This is the first design standard for FRP strengthening in Australia which cover many relevant topics including material specification, installation, inspection and maintenance, flexural strengthening, shear and torsional strengthening, and axial strengthening. The paper provides some background information for some of those topics. Relevant Australian and international researches are reviewed and summarized. As noted in the paper, understanding of the mechanic and theories behind FRP strengthening is important before a safe and efficient design can be achieved.