Introduction

Over the past few decades advanced composites have increasingly become smart materials for new structures and the renewal of existing civil engineering infrastructures. This book focuses on various aspects of advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil engineering: materials; processing and fabrication; properties, performance and testing. It also provides an overview of the applications of advanced FRP composites in civil and structural engineering. The book is a useful text for graduate students in the area of composites in general, and civil engineering and construction in particular. It is also a comprehensive and practical resource for practising engineers, researchers, manufacturers and suppliers.

Advanced composite materials were primarily developed for aerospace to enhance the performance of commercial and military aircraft [1]. They still play a significant role in current and future aerospace components. However, in recent years composite materials have become particularly attractive for civil engineering infrastructure applications due to their exceptional strength and stiffness-to-density ratios and superior physical properties [2]. Considerable advances have been made in the use of composite materials in the construction and building industries, and this trend will continue. Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are now widely used in civil engineering applications [3–9]. The repair and maintenance of deteriorated, damaged and substandard civil infrastructures has become one of the most important issues for the civil engineer worldwide [10–12]. The use of externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to strengthen, rehabilitate and retrofit civil engineering structures is fully discussed throughout this book. The book is organised into four parts. Each chapter within a part is written by a leading expert (or team of experts) and deals with a specific topic with detailed referencing to primary sources for further research.

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are composed of fibres and matrices, which are bonded through the interface to ensure that the composite system as a whole gives satisfactory performance. Part I deals with FRP composite matrix materials which provide the foundation for composite materials. Chapter 2 reviews the chemistry of phenolic resins together with their mechanical and thermal properties. Chapter 3 discusses polyester thermoset resins as matrix materials. an overview of the chemistry of vinylester resins, together with their mechanical and chemical properties, as well as their use as a matrix material in the construction industry, is provided in Chapter 4. The final chapter in Part I begins with a review of the epoxy resins commonly available on the market, and then focuses on the principal characteristics of epoxy resin composite systems and their practical applications.

The mechanical properties of FRP composites are dependent upon the ratio of fibre and matrix material, the mechanical properties of the constituent materials, the fibre orientation in the matrix, and ultimately the processing and methods of fabrication, which are the subject of Part II. Chapters discuss prepreg processing, liquid composite moulding (LCM), filament winding processes and pultrusion of advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.

FRP composite structural analysis and design require a good knowledge of material properties. Part III is primarily devoted to the properties, performance and testing of FRP composites. Chapters examine the stress-related aspects of composites in civil engineering applications – particularly the critical interfacial adhesive stresses. Part III also deals with the elastic property analysis of laminated advanced composites, gives a general overview of composite stiffness and assesses unidirectional reinforced composites. This part also looks into the basic mechanisms involved in the environmental degradation of FRP composites and the impact of the ageing mechanisms of the polymer matrix on the mechanical properties of composites. Practical tests on FRP composite substructures and full-scale structures are also discussed.

The use of FRP composites in various structural applications is reviewed in Part IV. it covers a wide range of applications of FRP in civil engineering infrastructures, including advanced FRP composites to strengthen structures vulnerable to seismic damage, FRP composite materials for bridge construction and rehabilitation, the manufacture and rehabilitation of pipes and tanks in the oil and gas industry, and for the rehabilitation of timber and concrete structures. The key material requirements for sustainable energy production are reviewed and the use of composites in renewable energy such as wind power, tidal and wave power and solar power are discussed, including the manufacture, maintenance and recycling of advanced FRP composite wind turbine blades.

FRP composite materials are durable [13,14] and have reasonable fatigue life [15–17]. They have high strength-to-weight ratios and are easily adapted almost into any shape and size of structure. FRP are corrosion-resistant and largely weather-resistant. They have excellent chemical resistance. Moreover, FRP composites are lightweight and relatively cheap to manufacture. The composites industry is still evolving in the area of high-performance materials for ageing civil engineering infrastructure. FRP composites will potentially play a major role in extending the service life of the world’s infrastructure in this century. With its distinguished international team of authors, this book offers a valuable reference for university students, researchers and scientists, as well as a practical guide for engineers, contractors and practitioners working on the new, rehabilitation and strengthening of the civil infrastructure.