Summary of Activities

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are formed by embedding continuous fibres in a resin matrix which binds the fibres together. Common fibres include carbon, glass, and aramid fibres while common resins are epoxy, polyester, and vinyl ester resins. The most widely used FRP composites are glass FRP (GFRP) composites, carbon FRP (CFRP) composites, and aramid FRP (AFRP) composites. FRP composites are a new generation of structural materials for civil engineering structures. They are light, strong and corrosion-resistant. They are also ideally suited for the incorporation of smart sensors such as optical fibre sensors as the sensors can be embedded into and protected by the matrix of an FRP composite. Due to these advantages, they offer great opportunities for constructing high-performance structures.

The Centre research in this area covers:

• the use of FRP prefabricated tubes or shapes in combination with conventional materials such as steel, concrete and timber to develop innovative hybrid FRP systems; and
• the application of FRP in long-span spatial structures and bridge structures;
• the integration of smart sensors such as optical fibre sensors into FRP to develop smart FRP structures;
• fibre-reinforced Plastics for Infrastructure Rehabilitations;
• real-time Structural Health Monitoring for FRP-strengthened Structures.

Back to Top

Representative Projects

• Stress-strain behaviour of FRP-confined concrete
• Innovative hybrid FRP columns
• FRP Composites with Intelligent Sensors for Applications in the Civil Infrastructure

	A new form of hybrid FRP-concrete-steel double skin (FCSDS) columns has recently been proposed by Prof. J.G. Teng. The column consists of an outer FRP tube, an inner steel tube and concrete in the annular space between the two tubes.  These columns have many advantages over simple concrete-filled steel or FRP tubes. Shown here are such columns after failure under axial compression.
	This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the behaviour and design of FRP-strengthened RC structures. The research leading to the publication of this book has laid a solid foundation for the current research in the centre on the innovative use of FRP composites in new construction.
	A major international conference on the application of FRP composites in civil engineering was held in Hong Kong on 12-15 December 2001. The two volumes of proceedings published by Elsevier Science Ltd contain 8 keynote papers by leading authorities in the field, 18 invited papers and 167 contributed papers.

Back to Top

Major Facilities

• MTS shaking table
• Loading frames for beam and slab tests
• MTS testing machines for compression/tension tests
• Advanced finite element packages

Back to Top

Selected Publications

• Teng, J.G., Chen, J.F., Smith, S.T. and Lam, L. (2002) FRP-Strengthened RC Structures, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, UK, 245pp.
  
• Teng, J.G. (Ed.) (2001) FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, Proceedings of the International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, 12-15 December 2001, Hong Kong, Elsevier Science, UK.
  
• Teng, J.G., Lam, L, Chan, W. and Wang, J. (2000) "Retrofitting of deficient RC cantilever slabs using gfrp strips", Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, Vol. 4, No. 2, May, pp. 75-84.
  
• Shen, H.S., Teng, J.G. and Yang, J. (2001) "Interfacial stresses in beams and slabs bonded with a thin plate", Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 127, No. 4, April, 399-406.
  
• Chen, J.F. and Teng, J.G. (2001) "Anchorage strength models for FRP and steel plates bonded to concrete", Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 127, No. 7, July, pp. 784-791.
  
• Lam, L. and Teng, J.G. (2001) "Strength of RC cantilever slabs bonded with GFRP strips", Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, Vol. 5, No. 4, November, pp. 221-227.
  
• Smith, S.T. and Teng, J.G. (2002) "FRP-strengthened RC beams-I: Review of debonding strength models; II: Assessment of debonding strength models", Engineering Structures, Vol. 24, No. 4, April, pp. 385-417.
  
• Lam, L. and Teng, J.G. (2002) "Strength models for FRP-confined concrete", Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No. 5, May, pp. 612-623.
  
• Teng, J.G. and Lam, L. (2002) "Compressive behaviour of CFRP-confined elliptical concrete columns", Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No. 12, December., pp. 1535-1543.
  
• J.F. Chen and Teng, J.G. (2003) "Shear capacity of FRP-strengthened RC beams: FRP rupture", Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 129, No. 5, May, pp. 615-625.
• Lau,  K.T. and Zhou, L.M. The Mechanical Behaviour of Composite-wrapped Concrete Column Subjected to Uni-axial Compression Load. Comp. Struct., 2001; 52: 189-198.
  
• Lau,  K.T. and Zhou, L.M. Mechanical Performance of Composite-strengthened Concrete Structures. Composites Part B: Engineering, No.1 32 (2001) 21-31.
  
• Lau,  K.T., Chan, C.C., Zhou, L.M. and Jin, W. Strain Monitoring in Composite-strengthened Concrete Structures using Optical Fibre Sensors. Comp. Pt. B: Engg., 2001; 32(1): 33-45.
  
• Lau,  K.T., SHI SQ and Zhou, L.M. Estimation of Stress Intensity Factor (KI) for the Plate Bonded Concrete Beams by using Superposition Method. Mag. Con. Res., 2001; 53: 31-41.
  
• Lau,  K.T., Dutta, P.Kk, Zhou, L.M. and Hui, D. Mechanics of Bonds in An FRP Bonded Concrete Beam. Comp. Pt. B: Engineering, 2001; 32: 491-502.
  
• Lau,  K.T., Yuan, L.B., Zhou, L.M. and Woo, C.H. Strain Monitoring in FRP Laminates and Concrete Beam using FBG Sensors. Comp. Struct., 2001; 53: 9-20.
  
• Lau,  K.T., Zhou, L.M. and Woo, C.H. Strengthening and Strain Monitoring Concrete Structures using Fibreglass Composites and FBG Sensor. Mater. Sci. Res. Inter., 1999; 5(3): 216-221.
  
• Lau,  K.T., Shi, S.Q. and Zhou, L.M. Stress Intensity Factor for the Concrete Beam Strengthening by Composite Plate. Fracture Mechanics and Advanced Engineering Materials, Chapter, Edited by L. Ye and Y. W. Mai, The University of Sydney Press (ISBN 1-86487-283-7), Australia, pp 84-91, 1999.

Back to Top

Contact Information

Contact Person

Professor Jin-Guang TENG
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Fax:     + 852 - 2334 6389
Phone:   + 852 - 2766 6012
E-mail:  cejgteng@polyu.edu.hk

Other Investigators

Prof. C.S. Poon (cecspoon@polyu.edu.hk)
Dr. L Lam (cellam@polyu.edu.hk)
Dr. E.S.S. Lam (cesslam@polyu.edu.hk)
Dr. Y.L. Wong (ceylwong@polyu.edu.hk)
Dr. L.M. Zhou (mmlmzhou@polyu.edu.hk)
Dr. K.T. Lau (mailto:mmktlau@polyu.edu.hk)