The need to improve the performance of existing buildings is more critical than ever, especially in regions prone to earthquakes and other hazards. Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) offer an innovative solution for retrofitting and repairing reinforced concrete walls, improving structural integrity and reducing the risk of catastrophic failure. This course provides a comprehensive overview of FRP applications based on NIST’s extensive database and experimental investigations. Enhance your knowledge of structural repair techniques with this course on retrofitting and repairing reinforced concrete walls using Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP). Drawing from NIST’s extensive review of experimental investigations, this course explores how FRP can improve structural resilience, increase safety in seismic zones, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Gain valuable insights into the materials, configurations, and best practices for FRP application in real-world scenarios. Course Outline

1. Introduction to Retrofitting and Repair with FRP Overview of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) and their benefits in improving the performance of existing reinforced concrete walls.
2. Types of Wall Specimens and Testing Protocols Explore the classification of wall specimens used in experiments, including retrofitted and repaired walls, and understand the testing methods used to evaluate FRP performance.
3. FRP Material Types and Their Applications A detailed look at the different types of FRP materials—carbon, glass, and natural fibers—and their respective properties and advantages.
4. FRP Configurations and Retrofit Techniques Learn about the various ways FRP can be applied to concrete walls, including full wraps, strips, U-wraps, and anchorage systems, and how these configurations affect structural performance.
5. Future Research Needs in FRP Retrofitting Insights into the gaps in current research and the future directions for FRP application in building resilience and sustainability.

This course is ideal for structural engineers, architects, construction professionals, and  building code officials. It also benefits researchers and academics interested in advanced materials for building resilience and disaster mitigation.

Learning Objectives

At the successful conclusion of this course, you’ll be able to identify and discuss:

• Understand the role of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in retrofitting and repairing reinforced concrete walls.
• Identify the types of wall specimens and experimental methods used in FRP performance evaluation.
• Analyze the advantages of various FRP materials, including carbon, glass, and natural fibers.
• Explore different FRP configurations and their impact on structural integrity and resilience.
• Recognize the existing research gaps and future opportunities in FRP retrofitting and repair.