Case study: assessment of the electromagnetic disturbance of a glass fiber reinforced composite fencing structure

This work addresses the assessment of the electromagnetic disturbance induced by a composite barrier—fencing airport structures—to radio-communication electromagnetic waves. The barrier is composed of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) tubular elements installed into a concrete base. Based on the electromagnetic properties of constituent materials, numerical analyses describing the electromagnetic phenomenon were carried out, simulating the barrier submerged into the electromagnetic field of interest. Furthermore, full-scale experimental tests were also performed on samples of the barrier in an anechoic chamber, reproducing the electromagnetic field generated by the radio-communication antennas. Both the numerical and experimental studies confirm that composites and, in particular, GFRPs result in low interference with electromagnetic fields. The main contribution to the interference is generated by the concrete base. However, it may be significantly reduced by using particular strategies, for example, in very high frequency omnidirectional range systems, by placing the concrete basement under the counterpoise level of the antennas.