Infrastructure applications, fiber-reinforced

The use of advanced composites has increased significantly in the last decade. The properties of high-specific strength and stiffness make composites ideal for many aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure applications. Fiber-reinforced composites, which commonly use thermosetting resins such as epoxies as the matrix material, have some inherent deficiencies. These include the need for multistep processing, limited shelf-life, low toughness, sensitivity to moisture, and the inability to reprocess or reform the material [1]. 

As the range of applications for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials in civil engineering constantly increases, there is more and more concern with regard to their performance in critical environments. The high temperature behavior of composite materials is especially important, as fire is a potentially dangerous scenario that must be considered at the design stage of civil infrastructure. 

F. T. Wallenberger, Design factors affecting the fabrication of fiber reinforced infrastructure composites. Annual Wilson Forum, Santa Ana, CA, March 20-21, 1995 in Applications of Composite Materials In the Infrastructure, 1-10 (1995). 

F. T. Wallenberger, High modulus glass fiber reinforced composites for currently emerging Infrastructure applications. Proceedings, ASCE Materials Engineering Conference, San Diego, California, November 14-16, 1994. 

Liao K, Schultheisz C R, Hunston D L and Brinson C L (1998), Long-term durability of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composite materials for infrastructure applications a review . Journal of Advanced Materials, 40(4), 4-40. 

Although there are several resources available to readers in relation to fiber-reinforced composites, especially with respect to their applications in aerospace and civil infrastructure, the material related to application of FRP in pipes, risers and storage tanks is relatively scarce. Nevertheless, there are several valuable reading resources that are usually underexplored. The following provides a list of some relevant reading resources that could be further explored by readers. Of course, of equal importance is the Internet. 

The fifth and final section opens with a chapter on design of plastic parts then presents applications plastics in buildings and construction, infrastructure applications of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, the plastic piping industry in North America, and PET use in blow-molded rigid packaging. 

Infrastructure Applications of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites... 

Kawahara, B., Estrada, H., Lee, L.S., 2012. Chapter 12 life-cycle cost comparison for steel reinforced Concrete and fiber reinforced polymer bridge decks. In Jain, R., Lee, L.S. (Eds.), Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Infrastructure Applications. Springer Science + Business Media, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, ISBN 978-94-007-2356-6. 

Studies on the properties of concrete reinforced with carpet waste fibers have shown that this reinforcement can effectively improve the shatter resistance, toughness, and ductility of concrete. The use of low-cost waste fiber for concrete reinforcement could lead to improved infrastructure with better durability and reliability. Other applications could include pavements, columns, bridge decks, barriers, and airport runways and taxiways. 

---