ABSTRACT
Abstract As our infrastructures continue to deteriorate, the need for more economical and durable construction, strengthening and repair techniques has emerged. The use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) promises to be one of the most attractive alternatives to traditional techniques for construction, strengthening and repair of concrete structures. The installation of these light-weight materials is less labour-and equipment-intensive. Fibre composites can also enhance durability as they prevent the passage of moisture, chlorides and other chemicals. Finally, fibre composites can considerably reduce the time for which the structures are taken out of service for retrofitting. In many cases, this technique may result in considerable savings hi comparison with conventional methods proposed for the same structure. This paper discusses the advantages of using fibre reinforced plastics for construction, strengthening and repair. The major applications in structural engineering are listed. Some of the research work in the field of application of FRP in structures is summarized. The FRP is studied from the technical as well as the economical points of view.
