Advances of FRP-based smart components and structures

Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have been widely used in civil engineering for the past two decades. This paper presents an overview of the smart components and structures based on FRP. The basic principles of intelligent structures made of FRP and Optical fibre sensors are introduced. Some significant up-to-date smart elements used as reinforcing and health monitoring structures are also described in detail. Moreover, certain applications of smart FRP systems in civil engineering are briefly mentioned. Smart bars based on FRP are found to be very useful and could replace conventional steel. In addition, FRP-OF-OFBG is one of the most advanced techniques for local and global monitoring. However, interface strain for externally reinforcing systems requires specific characteristics to overcome debonding effects. Finally, analysis of the problems of existing applications based on carbon fibre composites are highlighted, followed by a description of some possibilities of new designs of smart FRPs.