Design
I
t is difficult to raise the aware-
ness on this important issue,
but if we think that every year
we take our vehicle to a sort
of check-up to be sure that we drive
safely, it feels inappropriate that the
main investment we have - our hous-
es and for a government its strategic
buildings - has not had any form
of significant work done to them in
order to improve and update their
structural performance.
Till about 20 years ago, and in many
cases even today, when engineers
and architects intervened on existing
structures, they were forced to inter-
rupt the use of a structure because
available technologies were very in-
vasive. Furthermore, the interven-
tions were involving somewhat long
periods of construction related to
the large use of reinforced concrete,
heavy steel plate bonding and section
enlargement; these were the only
technologies available to improve the
structural performance of any type
of building.
Composite materials, made of
very strong fibres immersed in
an epoxy matrix known as Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (FRP), entered
the construction industry in the
late 80’s, and rapidly demonstrated
their efficacy; derived from
an excellent strength to weight
ratio and relative ease and rapid
installation times when compared
to the more traditional techniques.
Composite
materials...
entered the
construction
industry in the
late 80’s...
and rapidly
demonstrated
their efficacy
Steel textiles can be externally bonded to the substrate via wet lay-up. Alternatively, they can be
impregnated with an inorganic matrix.
DESIGN&BUILD
Q1, 2017
45