Fatigue performance of steel structures retrofitted with CFRP composites

Reza’s research focused on strengthening fatigue-prone steel structural members by using carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) patches. Extensive experimental and numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of CFRP in restoring and enhancing the fatigue life of damaged members. The effect applying prestressed patches to members was also investigated and the results showed significant improvement in performance. The work involved the development of an innovative and practical device to prestress patches and applying them to real structures. Reza has won the Griffith Hack IP award at the Swinburne Innovation Cup for this development. The research outcome can be applied in the repair and retrofit of steel structures such as bridges, buildings offshore platforms and mining booms that are prone to fatigue fracture.