Often structural or steel plates are added to concrete structures to allow them to carry additional loading. In most applications the steel plates are bonded to the concrete by means of epoxy adhesives, and in addition to bonding, it is a good practice to also bolt the steel plates to the concrete.

While this process is relatively labour and equipment intensive there are many applications where the use of steel plates is the best alternative for structural strengthening. Typical applications for bonded steel strengthening are the ones where the use of advanced composite materials would be prohibitive due to their higher costs, and/or where traffic or other type of wear would damage a FRP type strengthening system.

Applications:	Bridges, Parking Structures, Industrial Plants
Benefits:	Low cost (as long as no special shape fabrication required) Vandalism and wear resistant

See also:
Advanced Composite Materials
Post-tensioning Strengthening

Precast/Pre-stressed Concrete Repairs

Post-Tensioned Concrete Evaluation and Repair Solutions

Post-tensioning Evaluation