Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

The deterioration of concrete infrastructure owing to corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the major challenges facing the construction industry today. Worldwide, governments and industrial firms are looking for infrastructure systems that are stronger, last longer, are more resistant to corrosion, and cost less to build and maintain. Engineers all over the world are searching for new and affordable construction materials as well as innovative approaches and systems to solve problems. An effective solution to this problem is corrosion-resistant materials, such as high-performance fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Recently, this cutting-edge technology has emerged as one of the most cost-effective alternatives to traditional solutions. The achievements and contributions of the IRC during the last five years have achieved widespread recognition and significant impact on the advancement of the FRP-bar technology through the development of innovative and durable FRP reinforcement for concrete structures, combined with several successful field applications in Canada and abroad. The proposed research in the upcoming five-year term of the chair will focus on these main objectives: (1) Improvement, development, and evaluation of existing and new generations of FRP bars and systems with enhanced properties and high performance/cost ratios; (2) Durability performance of new/improved FRP bars incorporating new advanced constituent materials; (3) Laboratory structural testing of concrete prototypes reinforced with the current/developed FRP products; (4) Field implementation and structural health monitoring; (5) Technology transfer to design engineers, end users, and the construction industry. The proposed chair research activities will benefit Canadian and international design consultants and regulators, and owners, all of whom will be able to place greater confidence in these structural materials. In addition, as Canada's leader in developing and successfully using FRP-bar technology in infrastructure , this research will maintain/enhance Canada's leadership in this industry. The proposed research will be implemented through the training of 40 postdoctoral researchers, doctoral and master's students.