Building materials for the renewal of civil infrastructure

Fibre reinforced polymers are increasingly being used to rehabilitate and renew the built infrastructure, ranging from use as reinforcing elements in concrete and as externally bonded elements for strengthening of deteriorating and under-strength concrete and steel components, to use as structural components in bridges and industrial systems. But there are still some challenges that need further work including improvements in fire resistance, lower cost manufacturing, and accurate prediction of service life. Vistasp M. Karbhari, professor of structural engineering at the University of California San Diego, explains.