A Nonlinear Multiscale Computational Framework for Fiber‐Reinforced Liners in Pipeline Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Aging pipeline infrastructure presents a significant global challenge, particularly within urban water management systems. Fiber‐reinforced composite liners have emerged as a trenchless and economical solution for pipeline rehabilitation. However, the mechanical reliability and long‐term structural integrity of these liners, especially when cured at ambient temperature, remain insufficiently understood across multiple scales. This knowledge gap currently hinders their widespread adoption in engineering practice. This study presents a comprehensive multiscale investigation into ambient‐cured composite liners, employing material characterization, mesoscale damage analysis, and full‐scale structural modeling. Microscale analyses highlight that the quality of interfacial bonding between the resin and fibers critically influences damage initiation mechanisms. At the mesoscale, simulations reveal the efficacy of felt‐reinforced configurations in dispersing loads and delaying crack propagation. Macroscale finite element analysis further identifies the optimal fiber orientation, weaving angle, and felt thickness to maximize mechanical stiffness and minimize structural deformation. Compared to conventional heat‐cured systems, ambient‐cured liners demonstrate comparable stiffness and load‐bearing performance when interfacial bonding is optimized. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for the variability in previous experimental findings and delineate an engineering design envelope for reliable liner deployment. The findings offer a physics‐informed framework for the performance‐based design of sustainable rehabilitation technologies in aging pipeline networks.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Polymer Composites
Published
2026-01-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.70824
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
19.37

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A Nonlinear Multiscale Computational Framework for Fiber‐Reinforced Liners in Pipeline Rehabilitation

Sheng Huang, Yuquan Hu, Baosong Ma, Shaowei Hu et al.
1 citations
Polymer Composites
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
19.37
article

A Nonlinear Multiscale Computational Framework for Fiber‐Reinforced Liners in Pipeline Rehabilitation

Sheng Huang, Yuquan Hu, Baosong Ma, Shaowei Hu, Jingjie Bi, Yuxiao Ye, Yahong Zhao
article en
1 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aging pipeline infrastructure presents a significant global challenge, particularly within urban water management systems. Fiber‐reinforced composite liners have emerged as a trenchless and economical solution for pipeline rehabilitation. However, the mechanical reliability and long‐term structural integrity of these liners, especially when cured at ambient temperature, remain insufficiently understood across multiple scales. This knowledge gap currently hinders their widespread adoption in engineering practice. This study presents a comprehensive multiscale investigation into ambient‐cured composite liners, employing material characterization, mesoscale damage analysis, and full‐scale structural modeling. Microscale analyses highlight that the quality of interfacial bonding between the resin and fibers critically influences damage initiation mechanisms. At the mesoscale, simulations reveal the efficacy of felt‐reinforced configurations in dispersing loads and delaying crack propagation. Macroscale finite element analysis further identifies the optimal fiber orientation, weaving angle, and felt thickness to maximize mechanical stiffness and minimize structural deformation. Compared to conventional heat‐cured systems, ambient‐cured liners demonstrate comparable stiffness and load‐bearing performance when interfacial bonding is optimized. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for the variability in previous experimental findings and delineate an engineering design envelope for reliable liner deployment. The findings offer a physics‐informed framework for the performance‐based design of sustainable rehabilitation technologies in aging pipeline networks.

Polymer Composites
Sun Yat-sen University (CN), Zhengzhou University (CN), Shanghai Tunnel Engineering (China) (CN), Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) (CN), Henan Province Water Conservancy Survey and Design Research (CN), Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province, Innovation Scientists and Technicians Troop Construction Projects of Henan Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
19.37
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.