FiberCore Europe considers the appearance of the new recommendation the CUR96:2017 'Fiber-reinforced plastics in structural and civil engineering load-bearing structures' as very valuable for designing and building the Netherlands. 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 shows 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.
The decision to align the guideline with European standards (Eurocode 0) means that the guideline provides many recognizable tools for 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 is considered an important basis for the development of a new Eurocode standard for composites. An English-language version will therefore appear soon.
FiberCore Europe, as the market leader, contributed emphatically to the development of this recommendation. The recommendation offers the structural engineer 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, ...)
- 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 material. This design risk is characteristic of most flat composite structures.
Precisely this design risk is completely off the table with the application of InfraCore® Inside technology. In terms of structural safety, this ensures adequate assurance - even in the long term. This extensively tested and proven technology (more than 700 bridges, bridge decks and lock sections have been realized) prevents, among other things, 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 bearing capacity remains fully guaranteed.
Structures from FiberCore Europe are always equipped with InfraCore® Inside technology.
For more information about the new CUR Recommendation or designing with composite materials, contact FiberCore Europe's sales or engineering department: +31 (0)10 - 476 58 58 or info@fibercore-europe.com.
OrderCUR96:2019 Fiber reinforced plastics in structural and civil engineering load-bearing structures.