"Advances in FRP Composites in Civil Engineering" contains the papers presented at the 5th International Conference on Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering in 2010, which is an official conference of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC). The book includes 7 keynote papers which are presented by top professors and engineers in the world and 203 papers covering a wide spectrum of topics. These important papers not only demonstrate the recent advances in the application of FRP composites in civil engineering, but also point to future research endeavors in this exciting area. Researchers and professionals in the field of civil engineering will find this book is exceedingly valuable. Prof. Lieping Ye and Dr. Peng Feng both work at the Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. Qingrui Yue is a Professor at China Metallurgical Group Corporation.

This research report discusses the planning necessary for the proper development, acquisition, installation, and maintenance of an effective health monitoring network for transportation infrastructure systems. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, and the materials were compiled into a database, reviewed, and synthesized. Data elements vital for maintaining safe and functional transportation infrastructures were identified and discussed for bridge structures, pavements, and geotechnical structures. Moreover, the steps necessary for planning an instrumentation system for a particular structure are presented. Sample design plans for the transportation infrastructure systems that are typically constructed in Wisconsin were obtained from WisDOT, and suggested instrumentation plans were developed for these transportation systems. One of the objectives of the research project is to identify urban freeway construction projects that could efficiently serve as hosts for an infrastructure health monitoring (IHM) instrumentation testbed. Major current and near-future construction projects in Wisconsin were identified and critically evaluated to identify a candidate project to host the IHM testbed. Among the candidates, the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project is recommended for hosting the infrastructure health monitoring testbed. Cost estimates based on current market prices are provided for the instrumentation plans developed for IHM of bridge structures, pavements, and geotechnical structures. To provide an example of using IHM data in applications, archived data from the Marquette Interchange instrumentation project was used to develop vehicle wander patterns and load spectra data, both in the form needed to conduct a mechanistic appraisal of the pavement structure using the DARWin ME software. The research team designed and conducted an IHM survey of state highway agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The survey showed that 46 percent of state DOTs have implemented health monitoring applications for transportation infrastructure. The survey also identified the impediments facing state DOTs in implementing IHM systems.

Advanced composite materials for bridge structures are recognized as a promising alternative to conventional construction materials such as steel. After an introductory overview and an assessment of the characteristics of bonds between composites and quasi-brittle structures, Advanced Composites in Bridge Construction and Repair reviews the use of advanced composites in the design and construction of bridges, including damage identification and the use of large rupture strain fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The second part of the book presents key applications of FRP composites in bridge construction and repair, including the use of all-composite superstructures for accelerated bridge construction, engineered cementitious composites for bridge decks, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites for cable-stayed bridges and for repair of deteriorated bridge substructures, and finally the use of FRP composites in the sustainable replacement of ageing bridge superstructures. Advanced Composites in Bridge Construction and Repair is a technical guide for engineering professionals requiring an understanding of the use of composite materials in bridge construction. - Reviews key applications of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in bridge construction and repair - Summarizes key recent research in the suitability of advanced composite materials for bridge structures as an alternative to conventional construction materials