A clamping apparatus for applying a clamping force to a workpiece, comprising: a beam member having at least one cavity disposed therein; at least one inflatable member disposed within the at least one cavity and coupleable to a pressurization source; and at least one clamping member pivotably coupled to the beam member, each clamping member including: a first portion projecting at least partially over the cavity and engageable with the inflatable member, and a second portion projecting laterally outwardly from the beam member and positionable over the workpiece, the at least one clamping member being configured such that as the inflatable member is inflated, a driving force is applied to the first portion and the clamping force is applied to the workpiece by the second portion, and characterised in that the apparatus further comprises at least one retaining member coupled to the beam member and extending at least partially over the cavity wherein the at least one retaining member includes a base portion engaged with the beam member and a retaining portion extending at least partially over the cavity, the base and retaining portions having differing thicknesses to at least partially control a magnitude of the driving force. a beam member having at least one cavity disposed therein; at least one inflatable member disposed within the at least one cavity and coupleable to a pressurization source; and at least one clamping member pivotably coupled to the beam member, each clamping member including: a first portion projecting at least partially over the cavity and engageable with the inflatable member, and a second portion projecting laterally outwardly from the beam member and positionable over the workpiece, the at least one clamping member being configured such that as the inflatable member is inflated, a driving force is applied to the first portion and the clamping force is applied to the workpiece by the second portion, and characterised in that the apparatus further comprises at least one retaining member coupled to the beam member and extending at least partially over the cavity wherein the at least one retaining member includes a base portion engaged with the beam member and a retaining portion extending at least partially over the cavity, the base and retaining portions having differing thicknesses to at least partially control a magnitude of the driving force. a first portion projecting at least partially over the cavity and engageable with the inflatable member, and a second portion projecting laterally outwardly from the beam member and positionable over the workpiece, the at least one clamping member being configured such that as the inflatable member is inflated, a driving force is applied to the first portion and the clamping force is applied to the workpiece by the second portion, and characterised in that the apparatus further comprises at least one retaining member coupled to the beam member and extending at least partially over the cavity wherein the at least one retaining member includes a base portion engaged with the beam member and a retaining portion extending at least partially over the cavity, the base and retaining portions having differing thicknesses to at least partially control a magnitude of the driving force.