Fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) are composite materials with a polymer matrix and a glass, carbon or aramid fiber reinforcement. Common uses for FRPs generally occur in the aerospace, automotive and marine industries as low weight, high strength materials. The durability is a function of both the matrix and the fiber making them much more durable than the fibers on their own. The strength, however, is more influenced by the fibers making them very strong in tension.  FRPs are used in civil infrastructure for reinforcement for concrete patching, cables on bridges, and complete bridges. The major advantages to FRPs over steel are that the material can be more specifically tailored to the loads for the system, a resistance to corrosion, an increase in material lifetime and durability, and a decrease in construction time and cost. Unfortunately very little long term testing has been preformed to ascertain the aging characteristics and limitations of the materials. Additionally, FRP’s short term and long term environmental aging is still not completely understood. 

The main curriculum in this module was developed by Dr. Elliot Douglas, University of Florida

Project Stuff

• Project Assignment

Class 1a: Overview of FRP in Civil Infrastructure

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes

 Class 1b: Stress-Strain Behavior of Different Materials

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes
• In-class Solutions: Polymer Stress Strain Plot

Class 2: Mechanical Properties of Composites

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes
• In-class Solutions: Calculating Composite Properties

Class 3: Introduction to Polymers

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes
• In-class Solutions: Polymer Structure
  •    These notes have the definitions in them need for the in-class exercise

Class 4: Polymer Crystallinity

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes
• In class solutions: Polymer Mechanical Properties

Class 5: Aging

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes

Class 6: Steady-State Diffusion

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes for Class 6 and 7 combined
• In-class Solutions: Steady State Example

Class 7: Non-Steady-State Diffusion

• Learning Objectives
• Reading Assignment
• Lecture Notes for Class 6 and 7 combined
• In-class Solutions: Non-Steady State Example

This is a multi-university effort with contributions from:

Chemical and Materials Engineering Prof. Stacy Gleixner	Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Prof. Olivia Graeve	Materials Science and Engineering Prof. Elliot Douglas
Engineering Prof. Laura Demsetz		Materials Science and Engineering Prof. Amy Moll

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number DUE #0341633.  Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This page is maintained by Prof. Stacy Gleixner.  
San Jose State University
Questions or problems please send email to gleixner@email.sjsu.edu or call (408)924-4051.
The page was last updated 04/26/06 .