The Impact, Application and Sustainability of FRP Materials in Architecture and Civil Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite researchers and investigators to contribute their original research papers as well as review articles dedicated to the impact, application, and sustainability of FRP composites in architecture and civil engineering.

Nowadays, there is significant demand to enhance the sustainability and durability of concrete constructions. All efforts to improve the durability of these structures have significant impacts in terms of sustainability due to the relatively high costs of rehabilitation. The application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, as novel engineering solutions that can enhance the durability and sustainability of new constructions and rehabilitate existing structures, through their use as reinforcements in bridge decks, modular structures, formwork, and external reinforcements for strengthening and seismic upgrade, has attracted immense attention in recent decades. FRP composites are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, exhibit non-conductivity and high strength-to-weight ratio, and can be tailored to satisfy performance requirements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

While the mechanical advantages of using FRP composites are widely reported, further research and testing methods are required for their application in building and infrastructure, due to the differences in material, processing, loading, and environment associated with the use FRP composites in civil engineering compared to, for example, aerospace and automotive. This Special Issue aims to collect and disseminate the most recent findings on this very relevant topic, that can collaborate in developing design standards and guidelines for FRP-reinforced/retrofitted structures, conducting experimental research on FRP structural elements when subjected to various environmental agents and loadings (temperature, moisture, UV radiation, impact, wear, etc.), conducting platform/structural-scale testing on new/retrofitted structures, developing and validating models capable of simulating aging and accumulation of damage, and improving inspection practice.

This Special Issue has a particular focus on, but is not limited to, the following research areas:

• Design methods and mechanical behavior of structures developed using FRP compositions;
• Durability performance and long-term prediction models of FRP compositions for reinforcing concrete structures in marine environments;
• Bond behavior/durability of FRP-reinforced concrete under monotonic/fatigue loading in normal/aging environments;
• Advanced structural strengthening techniques using FRP;
• Applications of recycled FRP waste in construction industry;
• Life cycle and life cycle cost analysis;
• Cradle-to-grave design and condition monitoring or prediction for sustainability.

Dr. Fatemeh Soltanzadeh
Dr. Shafagh Dinparast Tohidi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• FRP application in new structures
• FRP application in retrofitting existing structures
• material properties of FRP
• long-term behavior of FRP reinforcing systems
• health monitoring and quality control of FRP-reinforced/retrofitted structures
• life cycle analysis
• recycled waste FRP application