SR172 Fibre reinforced polymer composites (2007)

Presented in this report are a literature review and an initial study to examine the performance and potential of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP)-based composite materials for the building industry. Interest in and utilisation of, FRPs in engineering products has steadily grown over the last three decades. Their high strength-to-weight ratios and rot and corrosion resistances are advantages for an increasing number of diverse applications from armoury through to yachting and land transportation.

Overseas, FRP products are used in frame buildings for primary loadbearing applications. The use in buildings of these materials is also on the increase in New Zealand, but mainly for secondary structural applications, such as claddings and architectural features. Their potential in residential and commercial buildings for other more demanding applications has not been fully investigated. Moreover, the long-term durability performance of FRPs has not been fully characterised for New Zealand conditions. Given this background, the aim of this project is to examine the use, performance and potential of FRP products within the New Zealand building industry.

Following a comprehensive literature review, it is observed that there exists core knowledge regarding FRP mechanical properties and the forms of construction products to be used. The review highlights that, because of the large range in FRP materials (due to reinforcement type(s), reinforcement arrangement, polymer-matrix composition and processing method), the preparation of succinct codes and standards is going to be more difficult than it has been for conventional building materials.

It is promising that local suppliers are well positioned to meet existing and future demands for FRP products. By way of a preliminary experimental study, using FRP materials sourced in this country, it is found that, over short periods, they are durable when exposed to the New Zealand environment. These materials are also shown to behave as expected in fire tests.

BRANZ finds that FRPs do provide a tremendous opportunity to New Zealand's building industry. However, to facilitate their adoption and acceptance, further work is needed to provide the knowledge and understanding to prepare codes and standards. To make this goal deliverable, and in a timely fashion, it is recommended that effort be focused on assessing a limited range of FRP materials and applications that offer the maximum advantages to the country's commitment for long-term sustainable development.