Analysis of CFRP externally-reinforced steel CHS tubular beams

Abstract: The reinforcing effect of externally bonded composite materials in the ultimate response of steel structures is introduced and the principal variables discussed. Composite beams of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and steel circular hollow steel sections (CHS) are considered in this study. The investigation aims to quantify the contribution of the external reinforcing system to enhancing the strength characteristics of the thin walled steel section. An analysis of the ultimate bending strength of composite steel-CFRP CHS tubular beams which accounts for material properties and fibre orientation is outlined. The variations in the elastic and yielded regions around the section are examined. The provided results demonstrate that the ultimate load can be increased satisfactorily by adding high-strength fibre sheets to the steel sections and externally reinforcing them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]