The use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) in strengthening beams in Essay

The use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) in strengthening beams in the UK - Essay Example The material composites reinforced with carbon fibers have a higher tensile strength when compared to other materials. CFRP materials are thus very effective in areas exhibiting strong tensile forces. Although the tensile strength of steel is higher than that of FRP materials, steel is much stiffer and inappropriate to use in areas requiring some mobility. CFRP materials are less fragile and are able to absorb more shear forces compared to steel plates (Feih and Mouritz, 2012). These characteristics enable the designers to create products that are lesser in weight and in thickness. Corrosion resistance FRP materials have high abilities to resist corrosion compared to other materials including steel. This makes them appropriate to use in situations where corrosion is a concern for instance in the construction of bridges. Using FRP composites in outdoor applications thus guarantees long life and lesser expenses concerning maintenance. Enhanced Fatigue Life FRP materials are resistant t o fatigue and thus enable engineers to design flexible structures. The ability to absorb stress allows structures to have long life. This makes the FRP materials appropriate to apply in construction of bridges decks and the strengthening of bridges. ... Tailored characteristics FRP materials are flexible to use and customize according to the required design. Materials such as steel and concrete offer extra strength and stiffness that intrinsically compel the application of isotopic structural designs. In addition, the extra axial stiffness normally results to distress to attraction of forces in instances of seismic attacks. The FRP materials have an enhanced efficiency and viability even in seismic prone areas (Feih and Mouritz, 2012). Sustainability The application of glass-fiber FRP materials is characterized as sustainable and environment-friendly. In terms of energy consumption, the quantity of energy required to produce steel or aluminum is far much greater than that required for the production of FRP composites. Electromagnetic conduction FRP composites are non-conductors of electricity and can thus be applied in constructions around regions prone to electric shock including bridges in factories and along railway transactions. Disadvantages of FRP composites Although FRP composites have numerous advantages that make them ideal to use for construction work, they still have some setbacks, which make their application an issue. One of the disadvantages is that FRP composites are expensive compared to conventional materials such as girder. They are expensive in the short-term though if well maintained the long-term costs are negligible. FRP materials are guaranteed to long life. Although their application is easier and quicker, their lifespan can be short-lived when subjected to unfavorable environmental conditions (Feih and Mouritz, 2012). Applications of FRP The literature review has revealed various areas of application of the FRP technology. Some of the areas are