Fiber Reinforced Polymer Strengthening in Construction Materials

摘要

The United States has experienced an increase in the need for structural repair, especially in its public transportation infrastructure. At the same time, societal requirements to keep these structures open have placed pressure on facility engineers to perform rapid retrofits which entail minimal disruption to these systems. This need has brought the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) to the forefront, as its properties have proven to be invaluable in other industries such as boating, aircraft, and recreation. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, non-corrosive nature, relatively simple application techniques, and non-invasive application procedures have moved FRPs to the top of the list compared its strengthening contemporaries, mainly steel, in terms of structural retrofits.