Performance and Design of Steel Structures Reinforced with FRP Composites: A state-of-the-art review

• Strengthening of steel structures with FRPs has been reviewed for service conditions. • Engineering failure loading conditions included static and dynamic loads, and durability. • Parameters that affect the strengthening have been discussed and suggested. • Analytical prediction models in various conditions have been outlined. • Conclusions have been drawn to aid the selection of optimal strengthening scheme. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have gained popularity in civil, mechanical, aircraft, and chemical engineering domains due to their superior mechanical properties and durability. They have been used for strength and durability enhancements of civil structures and a wide range of steel structures subject to static (flexure, compression) and dynamic (fatigue, impact, and seismic) loads have been strengthened and retrofitted. The strength enhancement provided by FRP composites to steel structures depends on several parameters including fiber types, fiber orientations, number of fiber layers, steel section types (geometry and grade), member slenderness etc. Although the superior properties of FRP are sometimes affected by severe environmental conditions that the structures are exposed to, these adverse effects can be minimized. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various techniques to improve the performance and design of steel structures using FRP composites. Strength prediction models under a range of loading and environmental conditions are presented in this single document for the evaluation and safe design of FRP strengthened steel structures and thereby minimise their vulnerability to failure.