WG 191 : Composites for Hydraulic Structures

Published

1-Background

Composites have evolved over the years and dominate the marine, aviation, and auto industry. Composites offer many and varied material properties, some are strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, ease of construction, etc.  Civil Works engineers have been reluctant to take advantage of these properties, partially due to the lack of well documented success stories and the absence of an accepted design code.

2-Objectives

The main objectives is identifying “Best Practices” of how to use composites for hydraulic structures, summarize case studies with pros and cons, and to compile guidance documents to aid engineers when using composites in the demanding environment of hydraulic structures.

3-Earlier reports to be reviewed

The working group will gather any applicable guidance documents available, including vender brochures, research reports, conference papers, case studies, etc.

4-Scope

To compile available documents where composites provide a benefit over conventional materials for hydraulic structures and to define best practices to aid engineers when using composites for hydraulic structures.

5-Intended Product 

The intent will be to provide a summary of current best practices and guidance of composites.

History

Provide a brief history of composites describing how and why these materials are being investigated and implemented.             

Terminology

Provide clarity on the use and misuse of names and definitions related to alternative materials/composites.   Inventory alternative materials - list and define the most widely used composites for structural applications.

Applications

Identify applications  involved in large scale marine and civil works projects.  These projects involve the construction of facilities such as locks, dams, levees and pump stations.  These projects are comprised of various elements such as valves, gates, walls, piling, mooring facilities, etc.  These elements can be broken into three major categories as shown below for possible composite applications:

A. Structural Elements/Systems – These would be items fabricated from various composite shapes to erect a larger composite structure.  These would be items such as gates, miter gates and valves.  These items would be operable structures subject to large loads, submersion and extreme climate and environmental conditions.

B. Hybrid Structural Elements/Systems – These would be items similar to Structural Elements/Systems but would be a combination of traditional materials and composite materials.

C. Coatings – These would be items sprayed or glued to usually steel structures inhibit corrosion.

D. Miscellaneous Items – This would be items such as railings, gratings, ladders, etc.  These items are not subject to extreme loadings but are subject to submersion and extreme climate and environmental conditions.

This WG report should focus primarily on Categories A, B, and C.  Provide recommended materials and/or material combinations that could potentially be used for these categories.  Provide repair schemes for damaged portions of composite structures.

Pros and Cons

List the major pros and cons of using composite materials.  Provide examples and comparisons as needed to justify the pros and cons.  Provide insight to the following topics:

Durability

Weight

Strength

Hardness 

Friction and Wear Resistance 

Chemical Resistance

Fire Resistance

Impact Resistance 

Long Term Water Submersion Resistance

Ultraviolet Resistance

Fatigue Resistance

Cavitation Resistance

Cost

Thermal Properties

Moisture Uptake

Methods of repair (Minor/Major)

Material Advantages/Disadvantages

Any other physical properties relevant to the products use in the marine/civil industry   

Fabrication

Describe how the composite materials are fabricated and assembled.  Discuss and describe the methods of material fabrication.  Elaborate on the relevance of strand orientation.  Describe the various connections between members.  Elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of the various connections.

Inspection

The engineering and fabrication industry has a wealth of knowledge and guidance pertaining to the inspection and acceptance of structures fabricated from traditional materials.  These inspections range from visual inspections all the way to Infrared Thermography, Tap Hammer, Ultrasonic, X-ray with metallic particles, etc.  Describe the various processes for inspecting structures fabricated with composite materials.  Provide more emphasis in the testing of the various connections.  Describe the industry standards for testing of composite materials for both destructive and non-destructive testing for Quality Assurance.

Design Guidance

List relevant codes or guidance for the design and construction of composite structures.  Provide a review and comment on the relevance and applicability of the document.

Case History

To achieve large scale acceptance composites will need prototype testing.  Provide a plan of “Lessons Learned” from the bridge composite industry for ways to improve acceptance from designers for integration of composites.  Provide discussion on type of structures that may be advantageous to use composites.  Discuss how to move composites from minor uses such as guides and other appurtenances, to using composites for major structural components of structures.   Include discussion on “ease of construction”.  For this review there is an important need to ensure that proven design concepts move forward and make recommendations for best practices, also Lessons Learned from Failures associated with composites.  Provide relevant case histories.

6-Working Group Membership 

The background and experience may include the following: 

A. Academia/educators

B. Operators and managers of existing waterways

C. Consultants and navigation engineers 

D. Representatives of regulatory bodies 

E. Promoters of improvement or new navigation schemes

F. Manufacturers and fabricators

G. Resin and fiber/fabric suppliers

7-Relevance for Countries in Transition

The results will help to designers and promoters of new or existing navigations

throughout the world and provide guidance to develop and operate safe and

economically viable waterways.  This working group can be useful for all countries developing hydraulic structure infrastructure by providing a relevant design experience for using composites for new or to extend the life of existing hydraulic structures.

8-Sustainability

Provide a discussion on climate change issues when deciding to use composite materials.  How does using composites over conventional materials impact greenhouse gases, improve adaptation of existing infrastructure to cope with climate change, etc.

List of Members

USA

Hota V. S. Gangarao (Chair)

John Clarkson

Jeffrey Ryan

Jonathan Benvenuto

Romania

Dogaru Petrisor

Eugeniu Vasilache

The Netherlands

Jos P. Vorstenbosch Krabbe.

W. Claassen

Spain

Pablo Sánchez Sierra

Corresponding members

Pablo Arecco (Argentina)

Jonathan Trovillion (USA)

Matthew Mccarty (USA)

Eric Johnson (USA)

 

Table of Contents

1 Preface

2. Terms Of Reference

3. Working Group Members

4 Background

4.1 Objectives

4.2 Earlier Reports To Be Reviewed

4.3 Scope

4.4 Intended Product

5 History

6 Terminology

7 Applications

7.1 Structural Elements/Systems

7.2 Hybrid Structural Elements/Systems

7.3 Coatings

7.4 Miscellaneous Items Or Examples

7.5 Introduction

8 Pros And Cons

8.1 Durability

8.2 Weight

8.3 Strength

8.4 Hardness And Ice Resistance

8.5 Friction And Wear Resistance

8.6 Chemical Resistance

8.7 Fire Resistance

8.8 Impact Resistance

8.9 Long Term Water Submersion Resistance

8.10 Ultraviolet Resistance

8.11 Fatigue Resistance

8.12 Cavitation Resistance

8.13 Cost Lcc

8.14 Thermal Properties

8.15 Not Sensitive For Corrosion

8.16 Freedom Of Shape

8.17 Low Co2 Footprint

8.18 Low Maintenance Costs

8.19 Low Stiffness I.R.T. The Strength

8.20 Brittle Behaviour

8.21 Nonmagnetic

8.22 Adhesive Bonding

8.23 Salt

8.24 Thermal Fatigue

8.25 Osmosis

8.26 Hydrothermal Effect

8.27 Salt

8.28 Dynamic Behavior

8.29 Carbon Footprint & Recycling

8.30 Maintenance

8.31 Bonding

8.32 Brittleness

8.33 Stiffness

8.34 Material Advantages/Disadvantages

8.35 Any Other Physical Properties Relevant To The Products Use In The Marine/Civil Industry

9 Fabrication And Joint Design

9.1 Fabrication

9.2 Joints And Connections

10 Inspection

11 Design Guidance

12 Case History

13 Maintenance

13.1 Special Care In Situ Repair

13.2 Repair Techniques

14 Sustainability

15 Appendices