THE Monash University has applied an aerospace repair technique to steel infrastructure, increasing the carrying capacity of bridges, allowing greater crossing speeds and increasing fatigue life.
The original technique bonded a carbon composite patch onto the damaged areas of aircraft to reduce stress levels and expand the structure’s life span.
In the steel infrastructure application, a carbon composite reinforcing plate (CCRP) was bonded to the bottom flange of steel girders on bridges. Research was done regarding the optimum size of the CCRP for the girder.
High strength, fast curing adhesive was used for the bonding. Repairs could be completed without closing the bridge or halting traffic.
Laboratory tests show a 25% reduction in the stress of the steel girder by using an optimal sized CCRP. In-field trials confirmed this result, with a CCRP surviving without deterioration since April 2006.
The repair technique can be used on any steel bridge, and can be adapted to wooden and concrete bridges.

Key contact:
Rhys Jones
rhys.jones@eng.monash.edu.au

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