THE ROLE OF FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material is a relatively new material that can be used in different types of engineering. Due to its attractive mechanical properties, it has been widely used for decades. The properties mentioned enable worth-mentioning achievements in aerospace, the aircraft and automotive industries, civil engineering, sports equipment, and marine infrastructure.
FRP composites have evolved from being special materials to common engineering materials used in a wide range of applications in civil engineering. This paper covers the advantages and limitations of their use and various possible applications of FRPs in the field of civil engineering, emphasizing different opportunities for strengthening, repairing, or retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The main aim is to highlight the importance and possibilities of using FRP composites.
The outcomes of this paper summarize the potential of this composites for continual integration into constructions, especially RC structures, as well as the obstacles that prevent designers from using this material to its full potential. This paper can be used as an overview of the main FRP properties, a source of different references in which a reader can find more detail about the mentioned polymers, and a basis for gaining basic knowledge about this kind of modern composite material.