Advanced Fibre-reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Structural Applications, Second Edition provides updates on new research that has been carried out on the use of FRP composites for structural applications. These include the further development of advanced FRP composites materials that achieve lighter and stronger FRP composites, how to enhance FRP integrated behavior through matrix modification, along with information on pretension treatments and intelligence technology. The development of new technology such as automated manufacturing and processing of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have played a significant role in optimizing fabrication processing and matrix formation. In this new edition, all chapters have been brought fully up-to-date to take on the key aspects mentioned above. The book's chapters cover all areas relevant to advanced FRP composites, from the material itself, its manufacturing, properties, testing and applications in structural and civil engineering. Applications span from civil engineering, to buildings and the energy industry. - Covers all areas relevant to advanced FRP composites, from the material itself, its manufacturing, properties, testing and applications in structural engineering - Features new manufacturing techniques, such as automated fiber placement and 3D printing of composites - Includes various applications, such as prestressed-FRP, FRP made of short fibers, continuous structural health monitoring using advanced optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG), durability of FRP-strengthened structures, and the application of carbon nano-tubes or platelets for enhancing durability of FRP-bonded structures

This chapter briefly discusses the performance and durability of bonded composite systems used for on-site rehabilitation of timber and concrete structures. In spite of some recent developments, the exploitation of their full potential is still often restrained by the lack of structural design guidance, standards for durability assessment and on-site acceptance testing. Therefore, this chapter provides a review of current understanding on the use of hybrid bonded composite systems on the construction site in terms of structural repair, reinforcement, and seismic retrofit. It focuses on the requirements and practical difficulties in the work on-site with regards to the performance and durability of the rehabilitated structure, the characteristics and requirements that must be fulfilled by structural adhesives and advanced polymer composite materials, and the subsequent need for quality control and in-service monitoring. It also highlights the factors affecting performance and durability of bonded joints. Finally, a general overview of the research needs and a bibliography giving references to more detailed information on this topic is given.

To ensure better performance for a range of existing reinforced concrete structures in seismic regions with substandard structural details, seismic retrofit is an economical solution. Hence, this chapter presents some of the available results in which fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can be used for damage-controllable structures. For example, the performance of existing reinforced concrete structures whose components are vulnerable to shear failure, flexural-compression failure, joint reinforcement bond failure, or longitudinal reinforcement lap splice failure and retrofitted with FRPs is described. Novel concepts of modern constructions with controllability and recoverability using FRP composites are addressed.

This chapter continues the discussions of the development of advanced polymer composite material applications associated with bridge engineering. It focuses on the rehabilitation of metallic bridge structures, all-FRP composite bridges and bridges built with hybrid systems. covered the materials used in FRP composites, in-service properties and applications of FRP composites in bridge enclosures, the rehabilitation of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridge beams and columns.

This chapter focuses on the properties, manufacturing processes and quality control of pultruded advanced composites used in civil engineering applications. Pultrusion technology is first briefly explained, with the main features of the raw materials used being introduced, and the philosophy underlying the development of pultruded advanced composites discussed. A detailed description of the pultrusion process then follows, covering the equipment and procedure, technical specifications and quality control. Subsequently, the types, properties, applications and sustainability of pultruded profiles, reinforcing bars and strengthening strips are described. The final part of the chapter discusses future trends for the pultrusion of the advanced composites used in civil engineering applications.

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are increasingly being used in the field of civil engineering, either for the rehabilitation/retrofitting of existing infrastructures or for the construction of new structural elements. However, such applications are still recent and there are still unresolved questions regarding the long-term durability of FRP reinforcements or structural elements under service conditions, and their behaviour under accidental fire events as well. In this chapter, it is proposed to highlight the basic mechanisms involved in the environmental degradation of FRP composites, with a large emphasis on ageing mechanisms of the polymer matrix and their consequences on the mechanical properties. The last section is specifically devoted to the fire behaviour of polymer composites and also recalls existing fire-proofing solutions.

An overview is presented of four groups of static load tests to determine the mechanical properties of pultruded GFRP materials and structures. The first group includes standard and non-standard tests on material samples. The second group encompasses bending, buckling and collapse load tests on structural elements. The third and fourth groups include tests on bolted joints and sub-structures/full-scale structures, respectively. Throughout the overview, the difficulties of simulating practical support and loading conditions and monitoring deformations are emphasised. Future developments are mentioned briefly in the final section. It is noted that dynamic load testing and monitoring of static/dynamic deformations by means of full-field and other novel techniques are likely to receive much greater attention.

There is strong evidence that the oil and gas industry has become increasingly interested in using pipes and risers made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. Moreover, oil and gas exploration nowadays has to be conducted in much deeper water depths (500–1500m and deeper), thus requiring more resilient and lighter materials. in this section various applications of FRP in relation to pipes and risers are discussed to familiarise the reader with various FRP and hybrid pipes. The issues affecting the long-term performance of these materials, as well as issues involved with joining pipes and risers are also covered. Finally, the recent trends related to the use of FRP for repair and rehabilitation of deteriorated metallic pipes are presented.

Portland cement concrete is a brittle material. The main reason for incorporating fibres into a cement matrix is to improve the cracking deformation characteristics, increasing not only the toughness, impact and tensile strength, but also eliminating temperature and shrinkage cracks. Several different types of fibres have been used to reinforce cement-based materials. This chapter briefly discusses the characteristics of fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC), reporting the effect of the fibres on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties. It also presents some of the recent research and future perspectives of FRC.

The term liquid composite moulding (LCM) encompasses a family of processes in which a dry fibrous reinforcement is impregnated by a liquid resin inside a sealed cavity. As the understanding and control of these processes improve, their field of application widens. LCM processes can be used as a replacement to decrease the environmental impact and improve the quality of composite parts made via traditional open-mould processes. they can also provide a cost-cutting alternative to prepreg techniques while maintaining a high part quality. This chapter describes the variety of processes blanketed under the class liquid composite moulding and the research advances in the monitoring and simulation of these processes. the subsequent section presents the current usage of LCM techniques in the field of civil engineering, including some case studies, before outlining some future trends and offering sources for further information.