Fatigue failure mechanics of carbon-fibre textile reinforced concrete in the marine environment

Royal Society Research Grant
Damage contours of concrete samples under loading
Project title: Fatigue failure mechanics of carbon-fibre textile reinforced concrete in the marine environment
Funding amount: £60,500
Location: University of Plymouth
Project duration: 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2025
University of Plymouth staff: Dr Shanshan Cheng
 
The UN agreed at Paris 2015 and Bonn 2017 to keep global temperature rise below 2°C by drastically reducing CO2 emissions, and in 2019, the UK declared a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Offshore renewable energy (ORE) has a significant role to play in meeting this target through achieving a sustainable, low-carbon energy mix and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, while contributing to the national economy.
 
Floating offshore wind has great potential, but the platforms supporting wind turbines face the most critical challenge, with the construction and installation accounting for over 30% of the total investment costs.
This project targets using innovative carbon-fibre textile-reinforced concrete (CTRC) for floating platforms. The use of non-corrosive high-strength carbon-fibre textile reinforcement offers thinner concrete sections and enables the broader use of aggregates, which eases the tension on the natural resources.
Celtic Sea floating offshore wind
 
Fundamental research on the survivability of CTRC will be carried out to unlock the great potential of cost savings offered by the material for offshore structures.

Project aims

  • Investigate the flexural fatigue life of CTRC
  • Demonstrate the advantages of CTRC in fatigue performance in comparison with conventional steel-reinforced concrete
  • Explore the fatigue failure mechanics within the marine environment.