Multifunctional and robust composite material structures for sustainable construction

Abstract

The multifunctional use of FRP composites offers the potential to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of lightweight engineering structures for an innovative infrastructure that meets the challenges with which today's construction industry is faced. Six axes of development are discussed, which address the potential innovations and the main problems to be overcome to allow the widespread application of multifunctional lightweight FRP composites in civil infrastructure. Three axes are related to the structural robustness of FRP structures. Structural robustness is primarily dependent on a material-tailored structural concept and system ductility and can be obtained particularly thanks to ductile adhesive joints. Further three axes explore the opportunities for innovation through a multifunctional use of FRP materials. Structural functions are combined with building physics functions, energy supply, and architectural functions. © Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.