A review on FRP composites applications and durability concerns in the construction sector

Abstract

Construction sector is one of the largest markets for fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) globally. FRP composites are used in a wide range of applications in construction ranging from rehabilitation of existing structures to the full-scale use for new projects because of the benefits they provide over conventional building materials. Such advantages include but not limited to lightness, high mechanical performance and possibility of production in any shape, ease of installation and lesser requirement for supporting structure, controlled anisotropy, high specific strength and specific stiffness. All these multifarious features of FRPs are knocking the doors for new avenues of myriad applications in the Construction Industry, but unfortunately polymeric composites are susceptible to heat and moisture when operating in changing environmental conditions dispelling the biggest myth of them being invincible. The heat response of FRPs is also a major issue of importance in dictating the fate of FRPs future acceptability and applicability. This paper thus attempts to review the specific areas of the current utilization trend of FRPs in the Construction Industry and draw their advantages to support the future applications in a variety of construction processes. It is also being attempted to juxtapose the applicability and the durability concerns of FRPs in a single literature for assessing the versatility and scope of FRPs, by shedding light on the past available studies on the related matter.