Articles about Composites UK

As 2022 continues to be an extremely busy time for Lifespan Structures we are pleased to announce that Steven Dunn has recently joined to further strengthen our specialist team. A civil engineer with over 25 years of experience in providing technical and commercial support to Clients, specifiers and contractors he has strong knowledge in specialist areas including structural concrete repair, structural strengthening utilising carbon fibre plate (CFRP), composites, adhesives & ultra-high modulus plates.

Working together with our sister company Concrete Repairs Limited, and our various other supply chain partners, a new 12.5m by 3.0m wide bridge has been installed. Initially Lifespan Structures were originally commissioned to produce an outline design to allow the Client to carry out the necessary consultation with the relevant statutory bodies, and subsequently develop this to a detailed design ready for the construction phase. The Client’s framework contractor employed Concrete Repairs Ltd to carry out the installation of the new bridge, including new foundations, lifting operations and attachment of parapet.

Bridge decks often require repairs and eventually replacement during the service life of a bridge. These can be steel, concrete or timber decks for pedestrian and vehicle access. At Lifespan we can design, supply, and if required install, lightweight FRP composite decks which can reduce the deck dead load by 50%. These decks reduce the environmental impact in terms of carbon and energy embodiment. They are also quicker and safer to install compared to traditional materials. The decks are delivered complete with surfacing and ready for installation onsite.

Information on the design of FRP footbridges has developed quickly over the last few years, with the new version of the DMRB which included the publication of CD368 - Design of fibre reinforced polymer bridges and highway structures, and the updates to recommendations in Europe such as CROW-CUR recommendation 96-2019 Fibre-reinforced polymers in buildings and civil engineering structures (CUR96)
Whilst CD368 is now very much in line with CUR96, there are still some fundamental differences between the 2 documents.

Off site production allowed us to continue with this project during the lock down.  Once restrictions were eased the existing bridge was removed and the foundations upgraded by CRL working for Kent Highways, before the new bridge was installed in June. KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, and Member for Tonbridge, Michael Payne said:
“This work was carried out to provide a strengthened and refurbished bridge to ensure it continues to be safe river crossing for the public to use. “The original deck was made from railway rails with a type of expanded metal mesh reinforcement, but unfortunately it wasn’t able to handle the number of people using it.

600kg FRP bridge deck replaces a 2-3000kg timber bridge, delivered and put in place in just a few hours. The installation of our first generation of lightweight footbridge structures is over 3 years ago now.

Off site construction, means bridge production can continue all year round, and minimises installation times. This bridge replaces a corroded steel structure which had reached the end of its service life.

Lightweight FRP bridge deck for cycleway delivered. The 15m by 3m structure has been constructed off site and is being unloaded using a lorry mounted crane.  Low dead weights allow simplified foundations especially where poor ground conditions exist.

We are currently offering our CPD presentation called 'Bridging the Gap', if this is of interest please get in touch.  The presentation is particularly suited to local authority bridge engineers and consulting engineers who provide bridge services. The presentation will covers the following topics to introduce the concept of using FRP materials rather than steel, timber and concrete.  - Introduction to FRP composites
 - History of FRP composites in construction
 - Recent case studies
 - Benefits
 - Cost comparisons with traditional materials
 - Environmental benefits
This presentation will inform attendees of the significant benefits so that the FRP composite material option can be included in appropriate future proposals for the benefit of clients.