Completed Research 1995 to 2006

Theme 5 (1999-2002):
FRPs and Integrated Sensing for Structural Rehabilitation

PROJECTS IN THEME 5

Theme 5 addressed the serious issue of Canada's deteriorating infrastructure. Its primary research objective was to develop a unique advanced technology for the rehabilitation, strengthening and field monitoring of civil engineering structures. Key elements in this Theme were corrosion resistant light weight FRPs, combined with fibre optic sensor technology. FRP rehabilitation is the state of the art in the repair and strengthening of civil engineering structures. In recent years FRP sheets have been successfully applied in Japan, Europe and the U.S.A. for the rehabilitation of reinforced concrete bridge columns and girders.

FRP strengthening and rehabilitation is also beginning to be applied to structures other than concrete such as those made of masonry and timber.
Despite their obvious advantages, rehabilitation techniques using FRPs have had rather limited applications in Canada. Reservations exist primarily because of unresolved questions concerning the performance and durability of FRP retrofit techniques in severe Canadian climatic conditions. Theme 5 focused on these crucial aspects of performance, durability and corrosion. In addition, it began to develop smart sensing methods which are capable of remotely monitoring the state of structures by transmitting critical information concerning possible damage and deterioration, changes in load demands, and numerous other performance indicators. The long term vision is a new technology for assessing structural integrity that will subsequently enable the optimum maintenance and repair of infrastructure.

Theme 5 brought together Canada's top experts in the field of FRPs applied to civil engineering structures. The research program in this Theme consisted of eight projects. The research program in this Theme involved
 three interconnected aspects: (i) the development of smart FRP technologies appropriate for the FRP rehabilitation and strengthening of reinforced concrete and other structures; (ii) the integration and fine tuning of these technologies for various applications including reinforced concrete column, beam and slab strengthening, corrosion monitoring, cold region rehabilitations, seismic retrofitting, and timber and masonry structures; and (iii) selected field demonstrations, for typical civil engineering structures, of the intelligent strengthening and rehabilitation technologies to be developed within this Theme.

Theme 5 was designed to contribute to the conversion of research to economic benefits in a shorter time frame than all the other themes. Smart FRP wraps can be used for structural repair which are 60 percent of the cost of traditional methods. The benefits are obvious. This technology also helps to facilitate the transfer of the various ISIS technologies to the user sector. It is easy to understand, can be readily used, and produces immediate savings. This Theme, combined with Theme 4, presented the opportunity for substantial economic and social benefits for Canadians.

Completed Research 1995 to 2006