CATCHING UP ON COMPOSITES

Composite materials are now being considered a viable building material for large projects and an appropriate choice for retrofits. The United States (U.S.) has lagged behind Japan and Germany in adopting these products because they were new, untested, and lacked standards for use. Today, however, rehab and retrofit are two areas in which composites are gaining ground in the U.S. The Florida Department of Transportation, for example, repaired ten highway bridges with adhesively bonded carbon fiber material. This article describes various composite materials, from fiber-reinforced plastic to carbon-fiber-reinforced concrete. A discussion about taking composites from the laboratory to field sites is included with specific examples of the composite technology being applied.

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00723382
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 4 1996 12:00AM