Use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) in new construction and in strengthening of existing structures

Abstract

Concrete is the primary construction material for most building projects today owing to its versatility, moldability and superior strength in compression. Concrete however is an inherently brittle material with quite poor tensile strength and has very low resistance to cracks and their propagation throughout the medium. In this research paper, a thorough compilation of previous work on the development of FRPs, their performance under various conditions through traditional structural loading techniques such as 4-point loading and their implementation is provided. Fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) allow alterations in concrete’s structural behaviour under tensile loading as well as expansions during exposures to extreme temperatures and routine shrinkage cracks through addition of small fibres that act as anchors preventing the widening of cracks as well as behaving in a similar fashion to the conventional steel reinforcement. FRP not only comes from small hair like fibres but also in the form of wraps which provide confinement on beams and columns increasing the compressive strength of the element as well as reducing the tensile loads, similar to how prestressing tendons alter the behaviour of prestressed concrete.