Today the English translation of the adapted CUR96 was presented in a seminar of Rijkswaterstaat, IABSE and CROW at the Construction Campus in Delft.
FiberCore Europe considered last year's appearance of the new recommendation CUR96:2017 'Fiber-reinforced plastics in structural and civil engineering load-bearing structures' to be very valuable for designing and building the Netherlands. This is now joined by the English-language version. The recommendation simultaneously proves that the Netherlands occupies a leading position in Europe as a guide country for the use of composites in construction and infra. The thoroughly revised guideline demonstrates that composites have now come of age and are fully accepted as a regular construction material, alongside - and in collaboration with - wood, concrete and steel.
CUR96 aligns with Eurocode
The choice to align the directive with European standards (the Eurocodes) means that the directive provides many recognizable tools for clients to set requirements for composite structures, while enabling the structural engineer to design state-of-the-art, safe, robust and durable composite structures. Designing with composite materials has thus become more accessible. The guideline is seen as leading in Europe and considered an important basis for the development of a new Eurocode standard for composites, which is now being worked on. With the CUR96 and the Eurocode, clients get certainty.It is therefore also of international importance that today the English language version was published. The demand from Europe for this version is high.
FiberCore Europe, as market leader, contributed to the creation of this recommendation. The recommendation provides insight into, among other things;
- Material properties and factors, appropriate within the Eurocodes
- Design rules (do's and don'ts).
- Production methods
- Testing methods and calculation rules
- Composite-specific concerns (consequences of damage, impact, viscoelastic material behavior, high strength vs. low stiffness, etc.)
- Sustainability
- Detailing
- Joints (including adhesives)
- Inspection and management
The CUR 96:2017 rightly pays much attention to the design criterion 'robustness' of structures designed and fabricated with composite materials. This design risk is characteristic of most sheet composite structures.
No design risk with InfraCore® Inside technology
Precisely this design risk is off the table with the application of InfraCore® Inside technology. When it comes to structural safety, it provides adequate assurance - even in the long term. This extensively tested and proven technology (over 900 bridges, bridge decks and lock sections have already been realized) prevents structural failure due to fatigue and completely excludes the effects of delamination as a result of possible damage in combination with long-term loading. The initial load-bearing capacity remains fully guaranteed. Constructions of FiberCore Europe are always equipped with the InfraCore® Inside technology.
For more information about the updated CUR Recommendation or designing with composite materials, contact FiberCore Europe: +31 (0)10 - 476 58 58 or info@fibercore-europe.com.
CUR96: 2019 Fiber-reinforced plastics in structural and civil engineering support structures order.
