Following the success of ACIC 2002, this is the 2nd International Conference focusing on the application and further exploitation of advanced composites in construction held at the University of Surrey in April 2004. With over 100 delegates the conference brought together practicing engineers, asset managers, researchers and representatives of regulatory bodies to promote the active exchange of scientific and technical information on the rapidly changing scene of advanced composites in construction. The aim of the conference was to encourage the presentation of new concepts, techniques and case studies, which will lead to greater exploitation of advanced polymer composites and FRP materials for the civil engineering infrastructure, rehabilitation and renewal.

Ageing of composites is a highly topical subject given the increasing use of composites in structural applications in many industries. Ageing of composites addresses many of the uncertainties about the long-term performance of composites and how they age under conditions encountered in service.The first part of the book reviews processes and modelling of composite ageing including physical and chemical ageing of polymeric composites, ageing of glass-ceramic matrix composites, chemical ageing mechanisms, stress corrosion cracking, thermo-oxidative ageing, spectroscopy of ageing composites, modelling physical and accelerated ageing and ageing of silicon carbide composites. Part two examines ageing of composites in transport applications including aircraft, vehicles and ships. Part three reviews ageing of composites in non-transport applications such as implants in medical devices, oil and gas refining, construction, chemical processing and underwater applications.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Ageing of composites is a valuable reference guide for composite manufacturers and developers. It also serves as a source of information for material scientists, designers and engineers in industries that use composites, including transport, chemical processing and medical engineering. - Addresses many of the uncertainties about the long-term performance of composites and how they age under conditions encountered in service - Reviews processes and modelling of composite ageing including chemical ageing mechanisms and stress corrosion cracking - Discusses ageing of composites in both transport and non-transport applications ranging from aircraft to implants in medical devices