Engineered FRP products in civil engineering: Fid-Bau Portal

Engineered FRP products in civil engineering

Busel, J.P. / Lockwood, J.D.

FRP materials are providing practical solutions to the civil engineer or owner faced with the challenges of restoring structural integrity, increasing load bearing capabilities, and/or enhancing the strength and stiffness of aging structures. The advantage of composites is that a variety of resin/fiber systems can yield a possible solution for most types of situations. A myriad of FRP products are available for either the repair or outright replacement of existing structures. Most products have been extensively demonstrated and used around the world. Products for civil engineering include: new structural shapes applied to beams for bridge decks; vehicular and pedestrian bridge systems; FRP rebars and tendons for concrete reinforcement; piling systems for marine waterfront structures; FRP composite systems for repair, strengthening and seismic retrofit of concrete and masonry; FRP dowel bars for concrete highway pavements. The Market Development Alliance (MDA) of the FRP Composites Industry is a nonprofit trade organization that is focused on developing the path forward for composite technologies within the construction and civil infrastructure industries. The MDA has produced a reference guide of FRP composite products for bridge applications. Its content provides answers and direction to the user when looking for alternative product solutions.