Carbon Fiber Laminate
A laminate-based strengthening system that increases the load capacity of structural members without enlarging the cross-section; light compared with steel and immune to corrosion.
Growing the capacity without growing the section.
Traditional strengthening methods usually require section enlargement, adding new concrete and reinforcement around the member. That approach is effective, but it adds weight to the structure, reduces floor height and usable space, and takes long to apply. Carbon fiber laminate reaches the same goal by a more elegant route: thin, extremely strong strips bonded to the member’s tension zone increase the load capacity while leaving the cross-section virtually unchanged.
Laminate application may look like a bonding job, but at its core it is engineering. The strengthening design defines where each strip goes, in which direction and at what length; the surface preparation and the conditions under which the adhesive is applied directly affect the system’s service life. We carry out our applications with this awareness, under engineering supervision and with every step recorded.
- The section is preserved: Capacity increases with no loss of floor height or usable space.
- A lightweight intervention: Strengthening with no significant added load on the structure.
- Immune to corrosion: Carbon fiber does not rust; the system’s life is independent of steel plates.
- Fast application: A zoned, planned intervention without long shutdowns.
On members where tensile capacity is needed.
The laminate works in the member’s tension zone; the right member and the right direction are defined by the design.
Beam strengthening
Reinforced concrete beams whose flexural capacity is to be increased.
Slab strengthening
Slabs with increased service loads or challenged spans.
Opening perimeters
The perimeters of service and stair openings cut later.
Cantilever members
Capacity increase for balconies and cantilever beams.
Change of use
Building sections whose function changes and loads increase.
Post-damage repair
Restoring capacity together with the repair.
The four conditions for touching the structure.
Every intervention on the structural system follows the same discipline: diagnosis, design, supervised application and complete records.
Diagnosis and design
The existing condition is documented; the intervention is limited to the scope and detail defined by the strengthening design.
Surface and member preparation
The application surface is brought to the condition the design requires; the preparation defines the system’s life.
Supervised application
The application is carried out under civil engineering supervision, adhering to the manufacturer’s system approvals.
Records and handover
Every stage is documented; the work is handed over with a traceable application file.
A thin strip, a great duty.
The laminate is bonded to the member’s tension face with a high-performance epoxy adhesive; the system’s strength comes from the quality of that bond.
- Protective layerThe layer protecting the laminate from external effects and, where required, from fire.
- Carbon fiber laminateTaking up the tensile force, its dimensions set by the design: the strip.
- Epoxy adhesiveThe bond providing force transfer between laminate and member.
- Prepared surfaceThe surface mechanically cleaned and brought to the design condition.
- Existing reinforced concrete memberThe strengthened structural member, its condition established beforehand.
As the design requires.
The laminate’s section, length and layout are defined by the design; the application form is adapted to the member’s condition.
Surface bonding
The standard method, applied to the member’s tension face.
Near-surface mounting
A protected application, set into a slot cut in the surface.
Angled layout
Angled placement in shear zones, according to the design.
Combined with fabric
Combined with carbon fabric where confinement is required.
What is expected of carbon laminate.
High tensile strength
Carries great forces in a thin section.
Section preservation
No loss of floor height or space.
Corrosion immunity
No service-life loss to rusting.
Fast application
Operational downtime is kept to a minimum.
Fidelity to the design
Layout and dimensions never deviate from the design.
Traceable records
Every stage is documented at handover.
The scope is defined by the design, not by assumption.
The classification below is indicative only. The final scope is defined by the condition survey and the strengthening design.
Laminate, or another method?
If the member’s need is different, let’s define the right method together, within the framework of the strengthening design.
Technical documents for members
Technical data sheets, safety data sheets and application specifications are available in the membership area open to corporate clients, architects and engineers. Access is free with membership.
Other strengthening systems
Let’s give your members an elegant strength.
Do you have a strengthening design in hand, or would you like to assess the existing condition? Let’s define the scope together.