Maximising impact protection of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) laminated composite structures and predicting and preventing the negative effects of impact on these structures are paramount design criteria for ground and space vehicles. In this paper the low velocity impact response of these structures will be investigated. The current work is based on the application of explicit finite element software for modelling the behaviour of laminated composite plates under low velocity impact loading and it explores the impact, post impact and failure of these structures. Three models, namely thick shell elements with cohesive interface, solid elements with cohesive interface, and thin shell elements with tiebreak contact, were all developed in the explicit nonlinear finite element code LS-DYNA. The FEA results in terms of force and energy are validated with experimental studies in the literature. The numerical results are utilized in providing guidelines for modelling and impact simulation of FRP laminated composites, and recommendations are provided in terms of modelling and simulation parameters such as element size, number of shell sub-laminates, and contact stiffness scale factors.

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This paper presents the findings of an experimental investigation undertaken to evaluate the influence of externally bonded CFRP laminates on the punching shear capacity of a two-way spanning slab-column connection. Two control and five strengthened RC slabs were prepared and tested under concentrated load. The variables of the experiment were the anchorage type and width of the CFRP plates used. The structural response of the samples in terms of load, deflection, strain and cracking was monitored and analysed throughout the experimental procedure. It was found that strengthening increases the ultimate load by up to 25% and reduces the maximum deflection by up to 50%. The strengthening increases the cracking load and significantly reduces the cumulative length of radial cracks. The samples strengthened with transverse anchorages exhibited significantly high level of residual strength. The experimental findings for unstrengthen cases are compared with several design codes.

28In this study new types of advanced hybrid shear wall systems using steel/fibre reinforced 29 polymer (FRP) composites are being developed for deployment in the construction of 30 buildings. The hybrid steel/FRP shear walls made from laminates of steel with either carbon 31 FRP (CFRP) or glass FRP (GFRP) materials. In total six medium-scaled shear wall 32 specimens were manufactured. In the first phase of the study three pristine specimens: steel 33 shear wall (SSW-P), hybrid steel /CFRP shear wall (HSCSW-P) and hybrid steel/GFRP 34 shear wall (HSGSW-P) were tested. In the second phase of the project, the specimens 35 tested in phase one were retrofitted and retested; these specimens were identified as SSW-36 R, HSCSW-R and HSGSW-R. The structural repair and strengthening of specimens in the 37 second phase was achieved by replacing the damaged infill plates with new infill plates of the 38 same type, strengthening of the vertical steel frame elements with CFRP laminates and 39