Composite materials have superior properties to existing construction materials with respect to strength, weight, durability, creep, fatigue and fire. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) plates are being used to strengthen experimental and actual beams in the ROBUST project. The paper will describe the role of partners in the ROBUST research programme, the aims and objectives of the project and the background to the work. The work included in the testing programme, both in the laboratory and in the field will be described. Several projects using CFRP plate bonding have now been implemented in Switzerland. Germany and the UK and more are planned. Contractors are keen to use the method owing to it's greater ease of application and time savings on site. The testing carried out within ROBUST has proved that the technique is viable and that prestressing of CFRP plates on site is possible. Design rules are being developed based on the work done in ROBUST and at EMPA by Urs Meier. Procedures for installation have been improved by development of a peel/ply surface which can be removed prior to bonding, avoiding the need for surface preparation on site. The risks of using CFRP plate bonding are low and certainly better than for steel plate bonding.

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