Patent attributes
An elongate hollow structure and method of constructing the hollow structure is described, the hollow structure including a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion merging together to form a tubular wall structure. The method includes providing the radially inner portion, assembling the radially outer portion about the radially inner portion, and radially expanding the inner portion. The outer portion comprises an outer layer of fiber reinforced composite construction surrounded by a flexible outer casing. A space is provided between the radially inner portion and flexible outer casing. The outer layer includes reinforcement and a binder. The flexible outer casing resists radial expansion of the reinforcement, subjecting it to radial compression. The radially expanding inner portion cooperates with the flexible outer casing to cause the volume of the space to progressively decrease, causing the binder to spread through the space between the radially inner portion and flexible outer casing.
