Adhesively bonded composite-composite single-lap joints, with cross-ply GFRP adherends, have been cyclically loaded to initiate disbonding at either end of the overlap length. Disbond initiation and growth have been monitored using a combination of in situ photography (the joint is transparent) and a single chirped fibre Bragg grating (CFBG) sensor embedded within one composite adherend (with the low-wavelength end of the sensor adjacent to the cut end) and not in the adhesive bondline. Sensors having the same spectral bandwidth (20 nm), and lengths in the range 15 mm to 60 mm have been tested. The experimental results have been modelled using a combination of finite-element analysis and commercial software for predicting FBG spectra, and the predictions are in very good agreement with the experimental results. In all cases, it has been shown that the position of the disbond front can be located using the CFBG sensors with a precision of about 2 mm.
Beam tests on 1.0 m long reirzjorced concrete beams with jibre reinforced plastic plates epoxy-bonded to their soffits are reported. In these tests. a simple parametric study has been carried out in which the plate area, plate aspect ratio, plate material and the method of anchoring the plate ends have been varied. The efects of these variables on overall behaviour are discussed. An iterative ana(ytica1 method which uses the principles of strain compatibility and equilibrium has been used $or predicting the strengthened beam response. The use of both a cracked and a partiallv cracked section including steel strain hardening have been considered in developing the model. The an(vtica1 and experitnental responses are compared and observations noted.
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