Connections for fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridges - Issues related to design

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been providing practical solutions to structural problems in the aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industries for many years, although the benefits of FRP composites have only recently been expanded to include the bridge construction industry. Research into FRP composites for bridge construction is still in the evolutionary stage and it is evident that more information is required to provide confidence for the design of FRP bridges and for the development of design standards. Research is required in the areas of long-term environmental effects on FRP; identifying the various failure modes of FRP composites; developing design methodologies and developing efficient connections to utilise the advantageous properties of FRP composite sections. This paper will investigate the issues related to shear connection in steel - concrete composite construction and will identify parallel issues in developing the best connection application to be used for FRP to exploit the full benefits of the advantages of FRP composites for the bridge construction industry.