DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE STRUCTURES WITH HYBRID FRP COMPOSITES

To develop hybrid FRP composites in repairing/strengthening civil infrastructures or for utilization as new high-performance structural materials, different hybridization methods and variable FRP reinforcements have been investigated through theoretical, experimental and numerical studies. First, this paper reviews the achievements obtained by the author's research group regarding fundamental studies on hybrid FRP materials and repairing/strengthening existing structures. Following this, new applications of hybrid FRP composites for new structures are addressed, from which integrated and synthetic structural performances were achieved relating to the following three major aspects: (1) hybrid FRP as reinforcements and forms for reinforced concrete beams achieving damage-controlled performance. (2) steel fiber composite bars for concrete structures with superior recoverability and ductility during medium and large earthquakes, and (3) hybrid FRP cables for a thousand-meter scale cable-stayed bridge with light weight and superior durability.