Abstract: The primary objective of this chapter is first to introduce and demonstrate the application of thermoplastic (woven glass reinforced polypropylene) in the design of modular fiber-reinforced bridge decks, and next the development of jackets for confining concrete columns against compression and impact loading. The design concept and manufacturing processes of the thermoplastic bridge deck composite structural system are presented by recognizing the structural demands required to support highway traffic. Then the results of the small-scale static cylinder tests and the impact tests of concrete columns are presented, demonstrating that thermoplastic reinforcement jackets act to restrain the lateral expansion of the concrete that accompanies the onset of crushing, maintaining the integrity of the core concrete, and enabling much higher compression strains (compared to CFRP composite wraps) to be sustained by the compression zone before failure occurs.

The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials has had a dramatic impact on civil engineering techniques over the past three decades. FRPs are an ideal material for structural applications where high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios are required. Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and their applications in civil engineering. Part one outlines the general developments of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) use, reviewing recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials. Part two outlines particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers and covers their use in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications, including their use in disaster-resistant buildings, strengthening steel structures and bridge superstructures. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Developments in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for civil engineering is an essential text for researchers and engineers in the field of civil engineering and industries such as bridge and building construction. Outlines the latest developments in fiber-reinforced polymer composites and their applications in civil engineering Reviews recent advancements in the design and processing techniques of composite materials Covers the use of particular types of fiber-reinforced polymers in a wide range of civil engineering and structural applications

This chapter presents dozens of select environmental engineering applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials with emphasis on their environmental benefits, followed by discussions on durability of composites. Significance of design codes and specifications in promoting and advancing the applications of FRP composites is addressed. With ever increasing attention toward a sustainable built environment, FRP composites have potential to be selected as a material of choice because of the performance and design advantages of FRPs.

This chapter presents a systematic approach for material characterization, analysis, and design of all-fiber-reinforced polymer or plastic (FRP) composite structures. The suggested ‘bottom-up’ analysis concept is applied throughout the procedure, from materials/microstructures, to macro components, to structural members, and finally to structural systems, thus providing a systematic analysis methodology for all-FRP composite structures. The systematic approach described in this chapter can be used efficiently to analyze and design FRP shapes and bridge systems and also develop new design concepts for all composite structures.

Modern structural applications of composite materials are dictated by the processing methods available. In this chapter, we introduce recent developments related to the manufacturing of composites in civil engineering applications using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, pultrusion, and automated fiber placement.

This chapter first reviews current structural applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in bridge structures, and describes advantages of FRP in bridge applications. This chapter then introduces the design of a hybrid FRP-concrete bridge superstructure, which has been developed at The University at Buffalo for the past ten years, and discusses structural performance of the superstructure based on extensive experimental and analytical studies.

Biofibers are emerging as a low cost, lightweight and environmentally superior alternative in composites. Generally, different fibers exhibit different properties that are fundamentally important to the resultant composites. This chapter gives an overview of the most common biofibers in biocomposites, covering their sources, types, structure, composition, and properties. Drawbacks of biofibers, such as dimensional instability, moisture absorption, biological, ultraviolet and fire resistance, will be discussed. The chapter will focus on their modifications (physical and chemical methods), matrices based on their petrochemical resources and bio-based, processing of biofiber reinforced plastic composites covering the factors influencing processing (humidity, additives, machinery, processing parameter, fiber content and length), and processing techniques (compounding, compression molding, extrusion, injection molding, pultrusion and others) will be discussed. The properties of the biocomposites based on their mechanical, physical, and biological behavior will also be covered. Lastly, this chapter concludes with recent developments and trends of biocomposites in the near future in civil engineering.