A Review of Fibre Reinforced Polymer Bridges

Fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRP) offer various benefits for bridge construction. Light-weight, durability, design flexibility and fast erection in inaccessible areas are their unique selling points for bridge engineering. FRP are used in four bridge applications: (1) FRP rebars/tendons in concrete; (2) repair and strengthening of existing bridges; (3) new hybrid-FRP bridges with con-ventional materials and (4) all-FRP composite new bridges made entirely of FRP materials. This paper reviews FRP bridges, including all-FRP and hybrid-FRP bridges. FRP bridges’ history, ma-terials, processes and bridge components – deck, girder, truss, moulded parts and cables/rebars are considered. This paper does not discuss use of FRP as an architectural element and a strengthening system. While lack of design codes, material specifications and recycling are the major challenges, the high cost of FRPs still remains the most critical barrier to the progress of FRPs in bridges.