Modelling of sewerage systems strengthened with composites plates

Sewerage systems undergo a wide variety of structural damage. It is estimated that 10% of French sewer length is in need of renovation. This paper is concerned with restructuring by carbon-fibre plates. The finite-element method is necessary to obtain the failure mechanism and thus locate the areas in need of strengthening. Experimental tests were conducted to characterise the materials (concrete, adhesive and carbon-fibre plates) and then obtain their constitutive laws. A control ovoid and a carbon plate-strengthened ovoid were compared. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.