FRP for Transportation and Civil Engineering Infrastructure: Reality and Vision

This paper reviews the reality and vision of the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials in civil engineering and transportation infrastructure applications. Due to their superior characteristics these materials have become a commonly accepted construction material for both new construction and for rehabilitation and strengthening of existing bridges and structures. This paper presents a number of example field projects which demonstrate the level of acceptance of FRP materials in infrastructure applications. While the use of FRP composites has become common practice in civil engineering, their use to date has largely been an imitation of conventional construction materials. Only recently have technologies been developed which effectively utilize the beneficial characteristics of these materials. A future vision for the use of FRP materials in civil engineering infrastructure applications is underway at many university research institutions and in private industry. This paper reviews a number of the current concepts and innovative technologies that are currently being developed with the vision of optimizing the use of FRP materials. This paper demonstrates that FRP materials have a demonstrated history of superior past performance and a bright future vision in civil engineering applications.