CEN/TS 19101:2022

Design of fibre-polymer composite structures

1.1   Scope of FprCEN/TS 19101
(1) This document applies to the design of buildings, bridges and other civil engineering structures in fibre-polymer composite materials, including permanent and temporary structures. It complies with the principles and requirements for the safety, serviceability and durability of structures, the basis of their design and verification that are given in EN 1990.
NOTE   In this document, fibre-polymer composite materials are referred to as composite materials or as composites.
(2) This document is only concerned with the requirements for resistance, serviceability, durability and fire resistance of composite structures.
NOTE 1   Specific requirements concerning seismic design are not considered.
NOTE 2   Other requirements, e.g. concerning thermal or acoustic insulation, are not considered.
(3) This document gives a general basis for the design of composite structures composed of (i) composite members, or (ii) combinations of composite members and members of other materials (hybrid-composite structures), and (iii) the joints between these members.
(4) This document applies to composite structures in which the values of material temperature in members, joints and components in service conditions are (i) higher than -40 °C and (ii) lower than   - 20 °C, where   is the glass transition temperature of composite, core and adhesive materials, defined according to 5.1(1).
(5) This document applies to:
(i) composite members, i.e. profiles and sandwich panels, and
(ii) bolted, bonded and hybrid joints and their connections.
NOTE 1   Profiles and sandwich panels can be applied in structural systems such as beams, columns, frames, trusses, slabs, plates and shells.
NOTE 2   Sandwich panels include homogenous core and web-core panels. In web-core panels, the cells between webs can be filled (e.g. with foam) or remain empty (e.g. panels from pultruded profiles).
NOTE 3   This document does not apply to sandwich panels made of metallic face sheets.
NOTE 4   Built-up members can result from the assembly of two or more profiles, through bolting and/or adhesive bonding.
NOTE 5   The main manufacturing processes of composite members include pultrusion, filament winding, hand layup, resin transfer moulding (RTM), resin infusion moulding (RIM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM).
NOTE 6   This document does not apply to composite cables or special types of civil engineering works (e.g. pressure vessels, tanks or chemical storage containers).
(6) This document applies to:
(i) the composite components of composite members, i.e. composite plies, composite laminates, sandwich cores and plates or profiles, and
(ii) the components of joints or their connections, i.e. connection plates or profiles (e.g. cleats), bolts, and adhesive layers.
NOTE 1   Composite components are composed of composite materials (i.e. fibres and matrix resins) and core materials. Components of joints and their connections are also composed of composite, steel or adhesive materials.
NOTE 2   The fibre architecture of composite components can comprise a single type of fibres or a hybrid of two or more types of fibres.
NOTE 3   This document does not apply to composite components used for internal reinforcement of concrete structures (composite rebars) or strengthening of existing structures (composite rebars, strips or sheets).
(7) This document applies to composite materials, comprising:
(i) glass, carbon, basalt or aramid fibres, and
(ii) a matrix based on unsaturated polyester, vinylester, epoxy or phenolic thermoset resins.

Bemessung von Tragwerken aus Faserverbund-Kunststoffen

1) Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für die Tragwerksplanung von Hochbauten, Brücken und anderen Ingenieurbauten aus Faserverbund-Kunststoffen, einschließlich dauerhafter und temporärer Tragwerke. Es entspricht den in EN 1990 angegebenen Grundsätzen und Anforderungen für die Sicherheit, Gebrauchstauglichkeit und Dauerhaftigkeit von Tragwerken, ihre Bemessungsgrundlage und den Nachweis.
ANMERKUNG   In diesem Dokument werden Faserverbund-Kunststoffe als Verbundwerkstoffe oder Verbund bezeichnet.
(2) Dieses Dokument behandelt ausschließlich die Anforderungen an Widerstand, Gebrauchstauglichkeit, Dauerhaftigkeit und Feuerwiderstandsfähigkeit von Verbundtragwerken.
ANMERKUNG 1   Spezifische Anforderungen bezüglich der Tragwerksbemessung für Erdbeben werden nicht berücksichtigt.
ANMERKUNG 2   Sonstige Anforderungen, z. B. bezüglich Wärme  oder Schalldämmung, werden nicht berücksichtigt.
(3) Dieses Dokument bildet die allgemeine Grundlage für die Bemessung von Verbundtragwerken aus (i) Verbundbauteilen, oder (ii) Kombinationen von Verbundbauteilen und Bauteilen aus anderen Werkstoffen (Hybrid-Verbundtragwerke), und (iii) den Anschlüssen zwischen diesen Bauteilen.
(4) Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Verbundtragwerke mit Werten der Werkstofftemperatur in Bauteilen, Anschlüssen und Komponenten unter Betriebsbedingungen (i) höher als −40 °C und (ii) niedriger als Tg − 20 °C, wobei Tg die Glasübergangstemperatur von Verbundwerkstoffen, Kernwerkstoffen und Klebstoffen ist, wie in 5.1(1) definiert.
ANMERKUNG 1   Das Verhalten von Verbundtragwerken ist temperaturabhängig. Die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Eigenschaften von Verbundwerkstoffen, Kernwerkstoffen und Klebstoffen wird anhand eines Umrechnungsfaktors für die Temperatur η_c berücksichtigt, wie in 4.4.7.2 definiert, der von Tg und der maximalen Werkstofftemperatur unter Betriebsbedingungen (Ts) abhängig ist.
ANMERKUNG 2   5.1(1) definiert Anforderungen für Tg von Verbundwerkstoffen, Kernwerkstoffen und Klebstoffen in Abhängigkeit von Ts.
(5) Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für:
(i)   Verbundbauteile, d. h. Profile und Sandwichelemente; und
(ii)   geschraubte, geklebte und hybride Anschlüsse und deren Verbindungen.
[…]

Calcul des structures en matériaux composites

(1) Le présent document s'applique au calcul des bâtiments, ponts et autres structures de génie civil en matériaux composites, y compris les structures permanentes et temporaires. Il est conforme aux principes et exigences concernant la sécurité, l'aptitude au service et la durabilité des structures, aux bases de calcul et aux vérifications données dans l'EN 1990.
NOTE   Dans le présent document, les matériaux composites fibres-polymères sont appelés matériaux composites ou composites.
(2) Le présent document traite uniquement des exigences relatives à la résistance, à l'aptitude au service, à la durabilité et à la résistance au feu des structures en composite.
NOTE 1   Les exigences spécifiques concernant le calcul sismique ne sont pas prises en considération.
NOTE 2   Les autres exigences, par exemple celles concernant l'isolation thermique ou acoustique, ne sont pas prises en considération.
(3) Le présent document donne une base générale pour le calcul des structures composites composées (i) d'éléments composites, ou (ii) de combinaisons d'éléments composites et d'éléments composés d'autres matériaux (structures composites hybrides), et (iii) des connexions entre ces éléments.
(4) Le présent document s'applique aux structures composites dans lesquelles les valeurs de la température des matériaux dans les éléments, les connexions et les composants dans les conditions de service sont (i) supérieures à -40 °C et (ii) inférieures à   - 20 °C, où   est la température de transition vitreuse des matériaux composites, de l'âme et de l'adhésif, définie selon 5.1(1).
[...]

Projektiranje kompozitnih konstrukcij iz vlaken in polimerov

1.1   Področje uporabe standarda FprCEN/TS 19101
(1) Ta dokument se uporablja za projektiranje stavb, mostov in drugih gradbenih konstrukcij iz vlakneno-polimernih kompozitnih materialov, vključno s trajnimi in začasnimi konstrukcijami. Upošteva načela in zahteve glede varnosti, uporabnosti in trajnosti konstrukcij ter podlago za njihovo projektiranje in preverjanje, določeno v standardu EN 1990.
OPOMBA:   V tem dokumentu se vlakneno-polimerni kompozitni materiali imenujejo kompozitni materiali ali kompoziti.
(2) Ta dokument se navezuje le na zahteve za odpornost, uporabnost, trajnost in požarno odpornost kompozitnih konstrukcij.
OPOMBA 1:   Posebne zahteve v zvezi s potresnim projektiranjem niso obravnavane.
OPOMBA 2:   Druge zahteve, na primer glede toplotne in zvočne izolativnosti, niso obravnavane.
(3) Ta dokument daje splošno podlago za projektiranje kompozitnih konstrukcij, sestavljenih iz (i) kompozitnih elementov ali (ii) kombinacij kompozitnih elementov in elementov iz drugih materialov (hibridno-kompozitnih konstrukcij) ter (iii) spojev med temi elementi.
(4) Ta dokument se uporablja za kompozitne konstrukcije, pri katerih so vrednosti temperature materiala v elementih, spojih in komponentah v delovnih pogojih (i) višje od –40 °C in (ii) nižje od –20 °C, pri čemer je temperatura posteklenitve kompozita, jedra in lepilnega materiala opredeljena v skladu s točko 5.1(1).
(5) Ta dokument se uporablja za:
(i) kompozitne elemente, tj. profile in sendvič plošče; ter
(ii) vijačne, lepljene in hibridne spoje ter njihove povezave.
OPOMBA 1:   Profili in sendvič plošče se lahko uporabljajo v konstrukcijskih sistemih, kot so tramovi, stebri, okvirji, nosilci, bloki, plošče in lupine.
OPOMBA 2:   Sendvič plošče vključujejo plošče s homogenim in satnim jedrom. Pri ploščah s satnim jedrom so lahko celice v satju zapolnjene (npr. s peno) ali pa ostanejo prazne (npr. plošče iz pultrudiranih profilov).
OPOMBA 3:   Ta dokument se ne uporablja za sendvič plošče, pri katerih je sprednja plošča kovinska.
OPOMBA 4:   Dodatni elementi lahko nastanejo kot spoj dveh ali več profilov z vijačenjem in/ali lepljenjem.
OPOMBA 5:   Glavni proizvodni procesi kompozitnih elementov vključujejo pultruzijo, navijanje filamentov, ročno polaganje, modeliranje s prenosom smole (RTM), modeliranje z vlivanjem smole (RIM), modeliranje s prenosom smole s pomočjo vakuuma (VARTM).
OPOMBA 6:   Ta dokument se ne uporablja za kompozitne kable ali posebne vrste gradbenih objektov (npr. tlačne posode, rezervoarje ali posode za shranjevanje kemikalij).
(6) Ta dokument se uporablja za:
(i) kompozitne komponente kompozitnih elementov, tj. kompozitne plasti, kompozitne laminate, sendvič jedra in plošče ali profile; ter
(ii) komponente spojev ali njihove povezave, tj. povezovalne plošče ali profile (npr. kline), vijake in lepilne sloje.
OPOMBA 1:   Kompozitne komponente so sestavljene iz kompozitnih materialov (tj. vlaken in matričnih smol) in materialov jedra. Komponente spojev in njihove povezave so prav tako sestavljene iz kompozitnih, jeklenih ali lepilnih materialov.
OPOMBA 2:   Vlaknena arhitektura kompozitnih komponent je lahko iz ene same vrste vlaken ali pa je hibrid dveh ali več vrst vlaken.
OPOMBA 3:   Ta dokument se ne uporablja za kompozitne komponente, ki se uporabljajo za notranjo ojačitev betonskih konstrukcij (kompozitne armature) ali ojačitev obstoječih konstrukcij (kompozitne armature, trakovi ali listi).
(7) Ta dokument se uporablja za kompozitne materiale, ki vključujejo:
(i) steklena, karbonska, bazaltna ali aramidna vlakna; in
(ii) matrico na osnovi nenasičenih poliestrskih, vinilestrskih, epoksi ali fenolnih duroplastnih smol.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Nov-2022
• ICS: 91.010.30 - Technical aspects
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 250 - Structural Eurocodes
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 250/WG 4 - Fibre reinforced polymer structures
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 09-Nov-2022
• Due Date: 30-Jan-2022
• Completion Date: 09-Nov-2022
• Mandate: M/515 - Mandate for amending existing Eurocodes and extending the scope of structural Eurocodes
• Ref Project: SIST-TS CEN/TS 19101:2023 - Design of fibre-polymer composite structures

Overview

CEN/TS 19101:2022 - Design of fibre‑polymer composite structures is a CEN Technical Specification that provides a Eurocode‑aligned design framework for buildings, bridges and other civil engineering structures made from fibre‑polymer composite materials (also called composites). It covers permanent and temporary structures and sets out rules for safety, serviceability, durability and fire resistance in accordance with the principles of EN 1990.

Key scope limits:

• Applies when in‑service material temperatures are > −40 °C and < Tg − 20 °C (Tg = glass transition temperature).
• Covers composite members (profiles, sandwich panels), bolted/bonded/hybrid joints and their components.
• Materials included: glass, carbon, basalt or aramid fibres with thermoset matrices (unsaturated polyester, vinylester, epoxy, phenolic).
• Exclusions: seismic design, thermal/acoustic insulation, composite cables, pressure vessels/tanks/chemical containers, sandwich panels with metallic face sheets, composite rebars for internal concrete reinforcement or strengthening.

Key topics and requirements

• Basis of design aligned with EN 1990 (limit state principles, partial factor method, design assisted by testing).
• Materials: definitions and temperature limits, core and adhesive material considerations.
• Durability: environmental conditions, measures for combined effects and for joints/connections.
• Structural analysis: modelling, global analysis, imperfections and analysis methods for composite behaviour.
• Ultimate and serviceability limit states: laminate, profile and sandwich panel verification, deflections, vibrations, matrix cracking.
• Fatigue and creep: verification principles, testing guidance and creep coefficients (informative annex).
• Detailing and joints: profiles, sandwich panel detailing, bolted and adhesive connections, hybrid joints (design and verification principles).
• Fire design: normative annex with assumptions, material properties, tabulated design data and simplified/advanced methods.
• Informative annexes include indicative material property values, bridge details and creep coefficients.

Practical applications

• Design and verification of composite structural members (beams, columns, frames, trusses, slabs, plates, shells) and sandwich panel systems in civil engineering.
• Selection and detailing of bolted, bonded and hybrid joints and connections.
• Preliminary design using indicative material properties and guidance for manufacturing processes such as pultrusion, filament winding, RTM, RIM and VARTM.

Who should use this standard

• Structural designers and engineers, bridge designers
• Manufacturers and fabricators of composite members and sandwich panels
• Contractors, certifying authorities and clients
• Software developers, educators and standards committees drafting related product, test and execution standards

Related standards

• EN 1990 (Basis of structural design / Eurocode principles)
• Relevant CEN product, material, testing and execution standards referenced within CEN/TS 19101:2022

Keywords: CEN/TS 19101:2022, design of fibre‑polymer composite structures, composite structures, sandwich panels, pultrusion, bonded joints, bolted connections, Eurocodes, durability, fire design.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2023
Projektiranje kompozitnih konstrukcij iz vlaken in polimerov
Design of fibre-polymer composite structures
Bemessung von Tragwerken aus Faserverbund-Kunststoffen
Calcul des structures en matériaux composites
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 19101:2022
ICS:
91.010.30 Tehnični vidiki Technical aspects
91.080.99 Druge konstrukcije Other structures
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TS 19101
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
November 2022
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 91.010.30
English Version
Design of fibre-polymer composite structures
Calcul des structures en matériaux composites Bemessung von Tragwerken aus Faserverbund-
Kunststoffen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 22 August 2022 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 19101:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 5
0 Introduction. 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 10
3.1 Terms and definitions . 10
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations . 21
3.3 Symbols for member axes . 46
4 Basis of design . 50
4.1 General rules . 50
4.2 Principles of limit state design . 50
4.3 Basic variables . 50
4.4 Verification by the partial factor method . 52
4.5 Design assisted by testing . 61
5 Materials . 62
5.1 Glass transition temperature . 62
5.2 Composite materials . 62
5.3 Core materials . 64
5.4 Adhesives . 66
6 Durability . 67
6.1 General. 67
6.2 Environmental conditions . 68
6.3 Effects and measures for specific environmental conditions . 69
6.4 Effects of combined environmental conditions . 72
6.5 Measures for connections and joints . 72
7 Structural analysis . 73
7.1 Structural modelling for analysis . 73
7.2 Global analysis . 80
7.3 Imperfections . 82
7.4 Methods of analysis . 86
8 Ultimate limit states . 88
8.1 General. 88
8.2 Ultimate limit states of laminates . 88
8.3 Ultimate limit states of profiles . 96
8.4 Ultimate limit states of sandwich panels . 107
8.5 Creep rupture . 128
9 Serviceability limit states . 131
9.1 General. 131
9.2 Deflections . 131
9.3 Vibrations . 133
9.4 Matrix cracking . 134
10 Fatigue . 134
10.1 General. 134
10.2 Fatigue actions . 135
10.3 Fatigue verification . 135
10.4 Fatigue testing . 136
11 Detailing . 138
11.1 General . 138
11.2 Profiles . 138
11.3 Sandwich panels and member laminates . 138
11.4 Bolted connections . 140
11.5 Adhesive connections . 143
12 Connections and joints . 143
12.1 General rules . 143
12.2 Bolted connections . 144
12.3 Bolted joints. 163
12.4 Adhesive joints and connections . 165
12.5 Hybrid joints and connections . 170
Annex A (informative) Creep coefficients . 171
A.1 Use of this annex . 171
A.2 Scope and field of application . 171
A.3 Pultruded composite profiles . 171
A.4 Composite laminates . 172
A.5 Core materials . 172
Annex B (informative) Indicative values of material properties for preliminary design . 174
B.1 Use of this annex . 174
B.2 Scope and field of application . 174
B.3 General . 174
B.4 Fibres . 174
B.5 Resins . 175
B.6 Core materials . 176
B.7 Ply properties . 178
B.8 Laminate properties . 188
Annex C (normative) Buckling of orthotropic laminates and profiles . 191
C.1 Use of this annex . 191
C.2 Scope and field of application . 191
C.3 General . 191
C.4 Elastic buckling of orthotropic laminates . 192
C.5 Elastic buckling of profiles . 196
Annex D (normative) Structural fire design . 215
D.1 Use of this annex . 215
D.2 Scope and field of application . 215
D.3 Assumptions . 215
D.4 Basis of design . 215
D.5 Material properties . 220
D.6 Tabulated design data . 229
D.7 Simplified design methods . 230
D.8 Advanced design methods . 230
Annex E (informative) Bridge details . 232
E.1 Use of this annex . 232
E.2 Scope and field of application . 232
E.3 General. 232
E.4 Bridge bearings . 232
E.5 Expansion joints . 232
E.6 Parapets . 234
E.7 Adhesive deck-girder connections . 234
E.8 Crash barrier fixations . 234
Bibliography . 236

European foreword
This document (CEN/TS 19101:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250
“Structural Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI. CEN/TC 250 is responsible for all
Structural Eurocodes and has been assigned responsibility for structural and geotechnical design matters
by CEN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under Mandate M/515 issued to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association.
This document has been drafted to be used in conjunction with relevant execution, material, product and
test standards, and to identify requirements for execution, materials, products and testing that are relied
upon by this document.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
0 Introduction
0.1 Introduction to CEN/TS 19101
This document for the design of fibre-polymer composite structures, which was prepared in line with the
Eurocodes, is intended for use by designers, clients, manufacturers, constructors, relevant authorities (in
exercising their duties in accordance with national or international regulations), educators, software
developers, and committees drafting standards for related product, testing and execution standards.
NOTE 1 Some aspects of design are most appropriately specified by relevant authorities or, where not specified,
can be agreed on a project-specific basis between relevant parties such as designers and clients. The Eurocodes
identify such aspects making explicit reference to relevant authorities and relevant parties.
NOTE 2 Fibre-polymer composites are also commonly referred to as fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) or as composites.
0.2 Verbal forms used in this Technical Specification
The verb “shall" expresses a requirement strictly to be followed and from which no deviation is permitted
in order to comply with the Eurocodes.
The verb “should” expresses a highly recommended choice or course of action. Subject to national
regulation and/or any relevant contractual provisions, alternative approaches could be used/adopted
where technically justified.
The verb “may" expresses a course of action permissible within the limits of the Eurocodes.
The verb “can" expresses possibility and capability; it is used for statements of fact and clarification of concepts.
0.3 National Annex to CEN/TS 19101
This Technical Specification gives values within notes indicating where national choices can be made.
Therefore, a national document implementing CEN/TS 19101 can have a National Annex containing all
Nationally Determined Parameters to be used for the assessment of buildings and civil engineering works
in the relevant country.
When not given in the National Annex, the national choice will be the default choice specified in the
relevant Technical Specification.
The national choice can be specified by a relevant authority.
When no choice is given in the Technical Specification, in the National Annex, or by a relevant authority,
the national choice can be agreed for a specific project by appropriate parties.
National choice is allowed in CEN/TS 19101 through the following clauses:
4.3.1.2(4), NOTE 2
4.4.6(1), NOTE 4.4.6(2), NOTE 4.4.6(3), NOTE
4.4.7.1(2), NOTE 4.4.7.1(3), NOTE 8.5(2), NOTE 4 10.3(1), NOTE 1
12.4.5.1(1), NOTE 1 D4.5(1), NOTE

National choice is allowed in CEN/TS 19101 on the application of the following informative annexes:
Annex A Annex B Annex E
The National Annex can contain, directly or by reference, non-contradictory complementary information
for ease of implementation, provided it does not alter any provisions of the Eurocodes.
1 Scope
1.1 Scope of CEN/TS 19101
(1) This document applies to the design of buildings, bridges and other civil engineering structures in
fibre-polymer composite materials, including permanent and temporary structures. It complies with the
principles and requirements for the safety, serviceability and durability of structures, the basis of their
design and verification that are given in EN 1990.
NOTE In this document, fibre-polymer composite materials are referred to as composite materials or as
composites.
(2) This document is only concerned with the requirements for resistance, serviceability, durability and
fire resistance of composite structures.
NOTE 1 Specific requirements concerning seismic design are not considered.
NOTE 2 Other requirements, e.g. concerning thermal or acoustic insulation, are not considered.
(3) This document gives a general basis for the design of composite structures composed of (i) composite
members, or (ii) combinations of composite members and members of other materials (hybrid-
composite structures), and (iii) the joints between these members.
(4) This document applies to composite structures in which the values of material temperature in
members, joints and components in service conditions are (i) higher than -40 °C and (ii) lower than
T - 20 °C, where T is the glass transition temperature of composite, core and adhesive materials, defined
g g
according to 5.1(1).
NOTE 1 Composite structures have a temperature-dependent behaviour. The temperature-dependence of the
properties of composite, core and adhesive materials is considered through a conversion factor for temperature,
T
η
, as defined in 4.4.7.2, which depends on the g and the maximum material temperature in service conditions
c
T
( s ).
T
T
s
g
NOTE 2 5.1(1) defines requirements for the of composite, core and adhesive materials as a function of the .
(5) This document applies to:
(i) composite members, i.e. profiles and sandwich panels, and
(ii) bolted, bonded and hybrid joints and their connections.
NOTE 1 Profiles and sandwich panels can be applied in structural systems such as beams, columns, frames,
trusses, slabs, plates and shells.
NOTE 2 Sandwich panels include homogenous core and web-core panels. In web-core panels, the cells between
webs can be filled (e.g. with foam) or remain empty (e.g. panels from pultruded profiles).
NOTE 3 This document does not apply to sandwich panels made of metallic face sheets.
NOTE 4 Built-up members can result from the assembly of two or more profiles, through bolting and/or adhesive
bonding.
NOTE 5 The main manufacturing processes of composite members include pultrusion, filament winding, hand
layup, resin transfer moulding (RTM), resin infusion moulding (RIM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding
(VARTM).
NOTE 6 This document does not apply to composite cables or special types of civil engineering works (e.g.
pressure vessels, tanks or chemical storage containers).
(6) This document applies to:
(i) the composite components of composite members, i.e. composite plies, composite laminates, sandwich
cores and plates or profiles, and
(ii) the components of joints or their connections, i.e. connection plates or profiles (e.g. cleats), bolts, and
adhesive layers.
NOTE 1 Composite components are composed of composite materials (i.e. fibres and matrix resins) and core
materials. Components of joints and their connections are also composed of composite, steel or adhesive materials.
NOTE 2 The fibre architecture of composite components can comprise a single type of fibres or a hybrid of two
or more types of fibres.
NOTE 3 This document does not apply to composite components used for internal reinforcement of concrete
structures (composite rebars) or strengthening of existing structures (composite rebars, strips or sheets).
(7) This document applies to composite materials, comprising:
(i) glass, carbon, basalt or aramid fibres, and
(ii) a matrix based on unsaturated polyester, vinylester, epoxy or phenolic thermoset resins.
NOTE This document does not apply to composite materials comprising a matrix based on thermoplastic
resins.
(8) This document applies to the core materials (i) polymeric foams, and (ii) balsa wood.
NOTE 1 The core of sandwich panels can be reinforced by composite webs and inserts.
NOTE 2 This document does not apply to honeycomb cores.
(9) This document applies to thermoset adhesives, including epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic resins.
NOTE This document does not apply to thermoplastic adhesives.
(10) This document applies to other types of fibres, thermoset resins, homogeneous cores and thermoset
adhesives than those specified in 1.1(6)-(9), provided that their mechanical and physical properties are
obtained from appropriate testing according to Clause 5, and that they are in line with the other relevant
clauses of this document.
1.2 Assumptions
(1) The assumptions of EN 1990 apply to this document.
(2) This document is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 1990, EN 1991 (all parts), EN 1997 (all
parts), EN 1998 (all parts), ENs, EADs and ETAs for construction products relevant to composite
structures.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE See the Bibliography for a list of other documents cited that are not normative references, including those
referenced as recommendations (i.e. in ‘should’ clauses), permissions (‘may’ clauses), possibilities ('can' clauses),
and in notes.
EN 1990:— , Basis of structural and geotechnical design
EN 1991 (all parts), Eurocode 1: Actions on structures
, Eurocode 1: Actions on structures — Part 1-2: General actions — Actions on structures
EN 1991-1-2:—
exposed to fire
EN 1993-1-4, Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — Part 1-4: General rules — Supplementary rules for
stainless steels
EN 1993-1-8:— , Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — Part 1-8: Design of joints
EN 1997 (all parts), Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
EN 1998 (all parts), Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance
EN 13706-1, Reinforced plastics composites — Specifications for pultruded profiles — Part 1: Designation
EN 13706-2:2002, Reinforced plastics composites — Specifications for pultruded profiles — Part 2:
Methods of test and general requirements
EN 13706-3, Reinforced plastics composites — Specifications for pultruded profiles — Part 3: Specific
requirements
EN 16245 (all parts), Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Declaration of raw material characteristics
ISO 6721-11, Plastics — Determination of dynamic mechanical properties — Part 11: Glass transition
temperature
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN 1990:2021.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN 1991-1-2:2021.
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: prEN 1993-1-8:2021.
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1990 and the following terms,
definitions, symbols and abbreviations apply.
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1 Terms relating to constituent materials
3.1.1.1
accelerator
substance used in small proportions that accelerates the chemical reaction between the polymer resin
system and the curing agent
3.1.1.2
additive
specialist chemical substance that is added to the polymer resin to impart specific matrix properties, such
as removal from processing mould, flame retardancy and UV protection; known also as modifier
3.1.1.3
bi-directional ply
ply with all the continuous fibres aligned in two orientations
3.1.1.4
chopped strand mat
CSM
non-woven mat with short strands cut (approximately 50 mm long) from continuous fibre (or filament)
strands and fairly evenly distributed and randomly oriented in a swirled pattern within the plane of the
mat; the mat is held together by a binder
3.1.1.5
composite material
material composed of layers of rovings, fabrics, and mats, embedded in a polymer matrix
3.1.1.6
continuous fibre mat
CFM
non-woven mat with yarns or strands (of continuous fibres) fairly evenly distributed and randomly
oriented in a swirled pattern within the plane of the mat; the mat is held together by a binder
3.1.1.7
core
central part of a sandwich panel to which top and bottom composite face sheets are attached
3.1.1.8
fibre
general term for a material in a filamentary form
3.1.1.9
filler
relatively inert substance added to the polymer resin to alter its physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical
or other properties (e.g. shrinkage or flammability), or to lower cost
3.1.1.10
gel coat
thin layer of unreinforced quick-setting resin, sometimes containing a colorant, applied on the outer
surface of a composite component to improve the surface properties
3.1.1.11
mat ply
ply comprising randomly oriented chopped or swirled continuous fibres loosely held together with a binder
3.1.1.12
non-woven fabric
textile structure produced by bonding or interlocking of continuous fibres, or both, accomplished by
mechanical, chemical, thermal or solvent means, and combinations thereof
3.1.1.13
ply
single layer (or lamina) in a laminate with a number of individual layers of fibres
3.1.1.14
resin
solid, semisolid or pseudosolid organic material that has an indefinite and often high relative molecular
mass, exhibits a tendency to flow when subjected to stress, and usually has a softening or melting range
3.1.1.15
roving
collection of parallel strands (assembled roving) or parallel continuous filaments (direct roving)
assembled without intentional twist
3.1.1.16
sizing
coating applied to fibres during their manufacture to improve handling and fibre-matrix
adhesion/compatibility, protect from water absorption and abrasion, lubricate the fibres and reduce
static electricity
3.1.1.17
surface veil
very thin mat, usually 0,18 mm to 0,51 mm thick, of highly filamentized non-reinforcing fibres
Note 1 to entry: Usually present in pultruded composite materials to enhance the quality of the surface finish, to
block out the fibre pattern of the underlying fibre layers and to add ultraviolet protection and a moisture diffusion
barrier.
3.1.1.18
tape
prepreg of finite width consisting of resin impregnated unidirectional fibres
3.1.1.19
thermoset
class of polymers that, when cured using heat, chemical, or other means, changes into a substantially
infusible and insoluble material, through the formation of cross-links (primary bonds) between the
molecular chains
3.1.1.20
tow
large number of filaments collected into a loose strand or assemblage substantially without twist;
commonly used in referring to carbon fibres; typically designated by a number followed by K, meaning
multiplication by 1 000 (e.g. a 12K tow has 12 000 filaments)
3.1.1.21
unidirectional ply
ply with all the continuous fibres aligned in a single orientation
3.1.1.22
woven fabric
generic architecture consisting of interlaced yarns or fibres, usually a planar structure; the warp direction
of the woven fabric is taken to be the longitudinal direction, which is the direction of the principal load
action
3.1.1.23
woven roving
woven fabric formed by the weaving of rovings
3.1.2 Terms relating to manufacturing
3.1.2.1
cure
process of hardening of a thermosetting polymer resin (by cross-linking of the molecular structure); may
be accomplished by addition of curing agents, with or without catalyst, and with or without heat energy
3.1.2.2
cure temperature
temperature profile to which the composite material or adhesive is subjected to during the curing process
3.1.2.3
fibre content
quantity of fibres in the composite material; usually expressed as the percentage of volume or weight
fraction in the composite material
3.1.2.4
filament winding
automated composite manufacturing process in which continuous filaments (or tapes) are covered with
resin and wound onto a rotating mandrel in a predetermined pattern design under controlled tension
3.1.2.5
gel time
period of time from a pre-determined starting point to the onset of gelation time (gel point) as defined
by a specific test method
3.1.2.6
hand layup
composite manufacturing process in which a polymer resin and the fibre layers are applied manually
either to an open mould or to a working surface in a number of successive layers
3.1.2.7
layup
fabrication process involving the stacking of successive plies (also referred to as laminae or layers)
3.1.2.8
post-cure
additional elevated temperature cure of the matrix usually without pressure
Note 1 to entry: For certain resins, complete cure is attained only by exposure of the polymer matrix to higher
temperatures.
3.1.2.9
pultrusion
automated, continuous closed mould manufacturing process for thin-walled open and closed composite
shapes (or profiles or sections), having constant cross-sectional area in the direction of pultrusion
3.1.2.10
resin infusion moulding
RIM
composite manufacturing process in which a catalysed polymer resin is infused into a closed mould
already containing the preform for the component, with application of vacuum
3.1.2.11
resin transfer moulding
RTM
composite manufacturing process in which a catalysed polymer resin is injected into a closed mould
already containing the preform for the component
3.1.2.12
vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding
VARTM
composite manufacturing process in which a catalysed polymer resin is introduced into a closed mould
already containing the preform for the component, with simultaneous application of vacuum to assist in
resin flow
3.1.3 Terms relating to composite components and members
3.1.3.1
balanced laminate
laminate in which the individual layers (or plies) are stacked so that there is a balance maintained of +θ
oriented layers and -θ oriented layers at the same height from the laminate’s mid-plane
3.1.3.2
component
constituent of a composite member (e.g. ply, laminate, core) or a connection between composite members
(e.g. cleat, bolt, adhesive)
3.1.3.3
hybrid-composite structure
structure composed of a combination of composite members and members of other materials (e.g. steel,
concrete)
3.1.3.4
hybrid laminate
laminate with a fibre architecture made from two or more different fibre types (e.g. glass and carbon)
3.1.3.5
interface
surface between two materials (e.g. where there is contact between fibre, sizing and matrix)
3.1.3.6
interphase
region of nanometre thickness where the sizing and matrix combine and the matrix has different physical
and chemical properties from the bulk matrix
3.1.3.7
laminate
relatively thin flat or curved composite component of members (such as profiles and sandwich panels)
or structural systems (such as plates and shells), with two dimensions considerably larger than the third
(thickness) direction, formed from curing and consolidating one or more plies of one or more composite
materials
3.1.3.8
member
physically distinguishable part of a structure (e.g. profile, sandwich panel, cable), possibly made up of
components (e.g. plies, laminates, cores)
Note 1 to entry: Members are connected by joints or connections, which are composed of further components
(connection plates, bolts, adhesive layers), to form structural systems (e.g. beams, columns, trusses, slabs, plates,
shells).
3.1.3.9
profile
prismatic composite member manufactured by pultrusion or other composite manufacturing processes
used in structural systems, such as beams, columns, frames and trusses
Note 1 to entry: For pultruded profiles, rovings are aligned along the member axis and fibres with other
orientations can also be (and often are) used.
3.1.3.10
sandwich panel
two-dimensional composite member used in structural systems such as slabs, plates and shells
comprising, in its simplest form, a relatively thick and lightweight core bonded to two relatively thin,
parallel and high strength composite face sheets
3.1.3.11
sublaminate
thinner representative laminate of a full-thickness laminate, in terms of constituent materials, fibre
architecture and processing method
3.1.3.12
symmetric laminate
laminate in which each lamina (or ply) type, angles and composition is exactly mirrored about the mid-
plane of the composite material
3.1.3.13
web-core sandwich panel
sandwich panel comprising composite webs, with or without core infills between the webs
3.1.4 Terms relating to design
3.1.4.1
conversion factor
factor accounting for changes of material properties due to effects of environmental conditions (e.g.
moisture, temperature) and effects of ageing (long-term effects of exposure to environmental conditions)
3.1.4.2
conversion factor for moisture
factor accounting for changes of material properties due to moisture absorption over time (including
ageing effects resulting from long-term exposure)
3.1.4.3
conversion factor for temperature
factor accounting for changes of material properties due to material temperatures deviating from 20 °C
in service conditions (excluding effects of long-term exposure)
3.1.4.4
creep
time-dependent deformation resulting from sustained stress
3.1.4.5
creep coefficient
coefficient accounting for the creep effects on the deformations of composite structures, by reducing the
initial mean values of the relevant elastic moduli of materials
3.1.4.6
creep rupture
failure (by rupture) of a composite material at a sustained stress level that can be considerably lower
than the corresponding short-term strength
3.1.4.7
fail-safe structural member or joint
member or joint in which local failure of the member or joint does not result in failure of the structure or
critical parts thereof
3.1.4.8
fibre-dominated property of composite material
property of composite material mainly governed by the fibres; at elevated temperature, such property
has low sensitivity to polymer matrix softening; fibre-dominated properties include tensile strength and
modulus and compressive modulus in direction(s) with high ratio of fibres
3.1.4.9
flexible core
core of a sandwich panel with relatively low ratio between the flexural stiffness of the core and the
flexural stiffness of the face sheets
3.1.4.10
glass transition temperature
representative temperature of the glass transition process experienced by a composite material, a
polymeric core material or an adhesive at elevated temperature, in which the material changes from a
glassy state to a rubbery state; taken as the onset value of the storage modulus decay obtained from
dynamic mechanical analysis
3.1.4.11
linear viscoelasticity
mechanical behaviour of materials in which (i) the stress is proportional to the strain at a given time (creep
compliance is independent of the stress level) and (ii) the linear (Boltzmann) superposition principle holds
3.1.4.12
matrix-dominated property of composite material
property of composite material governed by the polymer matrix; at elevated temperature, such property
has high sensitivity to polymer matrix softening; matrix-dominated properties include compressive
strength, interlaminar shear strength, in-plane shear strength and modulus, and tensile strength and
modulus and compressive modulus in direction(s) with low ratio of fibres
3.1.4.13
non-fail-safe structural member or joint
member or joint in which local failure of the member or joint could lead to failure of the structure or
critical parts thereof
3.1.4.14
pseudo-ductility
ability of a composite component or member to sustain irreversible inelastic deformation without
significant loss of resistance, during progressive composite material failure and associated dissipation of
inelastic energy
3.1.4.15
relaxation
time-dependent decrease in stress in a solid under given constraint conditions
3.1.4.16
rigid core
core of a sandwich panel with relatively high ratio between the flexural stiffness of the core and the
flexural stiffness of the face sheet
3.1.4.17
service temperature
temperature range (minimum and maximum temperatures) to which composite structures are exposed
to throughout their design service life
3.1.4.18
thick face sheet
face sheet of a sandwich panel with relatively low ratio of the distance between the centroid axes of the
face sheets to the face sheet thickness
3.1.4.19
thin face sheet
face sheet of a sandwich panel with relatively high ratio of the distance between the centroid axes of the
face sheets to the face sheet thickness
3.1.5 Terms relating to failure modes
3.1.5.1
crippling
failure of a composite component (e.g. a web of a profile) under transverse loads, in a phenomenon that
may involve crushing, buckling or a combination thereof
3.1.5.2
delamination
separation of the layers of material in a laminate, which can occur locally or cover a significant area of the
laminate, at any time in the cure or subsequent design service life of the laminate
Note 1 to entry: This failure mode can arise from a wide variety of causes, being linked to a relatively low out-of-
plane (through thickness) tensile strength.
3.1.5.3
dimpling
buckling of the face sheet of a sandwich panel into or out of the individual cells of a discontinuous core
(e.g. honeycomb) due to localized compr
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