Improving Fatigue Performance of Steel Members and Connections Using Fibre Reinforced Polymer

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) has a great potential in improving fatigue life of metallic structures. This paper presents a summary of research in the last 10 years into FRP strengthened steel members and connections under fatigue loading. Member strengthening includes (i) steel plates considering the effect of debonding, temperatures and crack orientation; (ii) I-section beams with prestressed FRP (iii) rectangular hollow section beams and (iv) steel plate girders in shear. Connection strengthening covers (i) welded cruciform joints; (ii) welded attachments; (iii) welded corrugated plates; (iv) butt-welded RHS beams; (v) welded cross-beam connection; (vi) welded tubular joints; (vii) butt-welded plates under combined loads and (viii) riveted double-angle connection. Future research areas are pointed out.