Providing Confidence in Durable Composites (DURACOMP)

A single bridge or building made from advanced composite materials could degrade in ways engineers cannot yet predict, and this project aims to give them the tools to know for sure. Advanced composites—lightweight, strong materials already used in aircraft and cars—could transform construction, making structures lighter and more energy-efficient. But the construction industry has been reluctant to adopt them because no one can reliably say how long they will last. This project tackles that gap by investigating how composites degrade over decades of use. The team will combine physical testing of full-scale structural components with computer modelling that simulates long-term material behaviour. They will also account for real-world uncertainties—variations in manufacturing, loading, and environment—that affect durability. If successful, the research will produce predictive tools that allow engineers to design safe, durable composite structures with confidence. This could change how we build critical infrastructure—bridges, tunnels, offshore wind turbines, and building reinforcements—making them lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and longer-lasting than current steel and concrete alternatives. The public rarely sees these materials, but they quietly underpin the safety and longevity of the built environment.