An investigation on fire hazard and smoke toxicity of epoxy FRP composites

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-237
Author(s):  
Saeed Bakhtiyari ◽  
Leila Taghi Akbari ◽  
Masoud Jamali Ashtiani
Keyword(s):  
Heat Release ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Polymers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frp Composites ◽  
Reinforced Polymer ◽  
Cone Calorimeter Test ◽  
Fibre Reinforced Polymer

PurposeThe purpose of this study is assessment of fire and smoke hazards of some fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). The use of FRP strengthening strips has been found rapid growth in construction industry of Iran and many other countries. However, the fire and smoke hazards of these materials in both construction and use phases need to be determined and the appropriated measures against fire should be taken. Design/methodology/approachThe fire hazards of two types of fibre-reinforced epoxy composites (graphite fibre-reinforced polymer and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) were investigated in bench-scale using cone calorimeter test method. Time to ignition, heat release rate, total heat release, smoke release and carbon monoxide production were measured and analysed. Time to flashover of an assumed room lined with the tested FRP was analysed with Conetools software. Smoke production and toxicity of the considered composites were also analysed and discussed, using the fractional effective dose parameter. FindingsThe results showed that the tested FRP products had a high fire hazard and a potential high contribution to fire growth. The tests also proved that the used epoxy resin had a low glass transition temperature, around 50°C; therefore, the mechanical strength of the product could be drastically reduced at first stages of a probable fire incident. This also showed that a regular thermal barrier, typically used for protection of plastic foams against fire, could not be sufficient for the protection of strengthening FRP composites. Originality/valueThis research was carried out for the first time for the materials used in construction industry of Iran. The results and achievements were very useful for safe use and development of proper details of application of the system.

The all-composite road bridge – a proposal for rapid urbanisation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Siwowski ◽  
Aleksander Kozlowski ◽  
Leonard Ziemiański ◽  
Mateusz Rajchel ◽  
Damian Kaleta
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
Frp Composites ◽  
Frp Composite ◽  
Reinforced Polymer ◽  
Composite Bridge ◽  
Fibre Reinforced Polymer ◽  
Traditional Construction

<p>Technology and materials can help cities get smarter and cope with rapid urbanisation. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the approaches applied in evaluation of material sustainability. Many significant LCA comparisons of innovative and traditional construction materials indicate that fibre- reinforced polymer (FRP) composites compare very favourably with other materials studied. As a proposal for rapid urbanisation, the FRP all-composite road bridge was developed and demonstrated in Poland. The paper describes the bridge system itself and presents the results of research on its development. The output of the R&amp;D project gives a very promising future for the FRP composite bridge application in Poland, especially for cleaner, resilient and more environmentally efficient infrastructure of fast-growing cities.</p>

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