Article | REF: C950 V1

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs)

Author: Patrice HAMELIN

Publication date: August 10, 2010

You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!

Already subscribed? Log in!


Overview

Français

ABSTRACT

Composite materials associating polymer matrices and textile fibers are experiencing a significant development in the building sector. This article deals with the major formulations and transformation techniques for fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs). It also presents the major domains in which these materials are used in civil engineering as well as the characteristics of the composite reinforcements for concrete as substitutes for steel. In order to facilitate dimensioning processes, predictive calculation methods (derived from European recommendations) allowing for the assessment of the instant and differed properties of the FRPs are offered. This set of data is used in compliance with the calculation rules developed by the French Civil Engineering Association and the specific standards of reinforced concrete.

Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.

Read the article

AUTHOR

  • Patrice HAMELIN: INSA civil engineer - Doctor of Science - University Professor (Lyon University)

 INTRODUCTION

Over the past thirty years, composite materials combining polymer matrices with textile reinforcements have been gradually introduced into the construction field. Their corrosion-resistant properties have led to the first industrial applications in the field of chemical engineering.

The concept of multi-materials within sandwich-type structures has opened up the field of applications for façade and roofing panels in the building industry, combining mechanical and thermal insulation properties. In view of the specific strength and stiffness performances of materials such as carbon-epoxy composites developed for aeronautical applications, potential technological advances have enabled construction processes for engineering structures to evolve by seeking either :

  • replace metal cables and stays with composite cables ;

  • replace traditional reinforced concrete decks with composite elements such as caissons, sandwiches or mixed elements.

Over the past ten years, FRP composites have established themselves as particularly effective reinforcement and repair processes, in a general context aimed at improving the durability and safety of existing buildings and infrastructures, in the face of increasingly stringent in-service operating conditions and extreme stress conditions (explosion, earthquake).

The experience acquired in the field of repair and a better assessment of the durability of these materials in the environmental conditions specific to civil engineering have enabled us to develop niche markets in which the corrosion resistance and staling properties of FRP make it possible to replace metal reinforcement (steel, stainless steel) in underground concrete structures, in marine sites and in specific industrial installations.

You do not have access to this resource.

Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!

You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!

Already subscribed? Log in!


The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference

A Comprehensive Knowledge Base, with over 1,200 authors and 100 scientific advisors
+ More than 10,000 articles and 1,000 how-to sheets, over 800 new or updated articles every year
From design to prototyping, right through to industrialization, the reference for securing the development of your industrial projects

This article is included in

Industrial textiles

This offer includes:

Knowledge Base

Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees

Services

A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources

Practical Path

Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills

Doc & Quiz

Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading

Subscribe now!

Ongoing reading
Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP)
Outline