Research Major Project: FRP Strengthened CHS Member Lateral Impact

This research project investigates the use of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) to strengthen Circular Hollow Section (CHS) steel members against lateral impact. The study begins with an abstract and introduction that highlights the increasing structural failures due to blast and impact loading, especially with the growing use of CHS in structural components. A comprehensive literature review examines existing research on CHS, FRP strengthening techniques, finite element modeling, and the behavior of cylindrical shells. The project then identifies a research gap and details an experimental analysis involving medium-scale specimens, using both carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) to assess their impact on the CHS tubes. Results indicate that FRP strengthens the CHS tubes, enhancing their impact resistance and reducing lateral displacement. The project also includes a summary, conclusions, and a reference list. The project further explores the economic viability of FRP, discusses the CHS steel characteristics, and provides details on specimen fabrication and material properties. The findings are crucial for understanding how FRP can improve the structural integrity of CHS members under dynamic loads. The research incorporates details on the equipment and testing methods used, as well as a discussion of the results, including a figure indicating the failure behavior of bare and FRP strengthened test specimens under transverse impact.