On November 21, 2024, the 2024 NEXCEL Forum on FRPs in Civil Engineering was successfully held. This forum was chaired by Prof. FENG Peng from Tsinghua University, TAC member of NEXCEL. Three well-known experts delivered insightful presentations and shared their research and application experience. This forum attracted over 5000 viewers.
First, Mr Waseem Khatri, Lead Engineer from Saudi Aramco and member of NEXCEL TAC Task Force, gave a presentation entitled "Use of nonmetallic(NM) materials to improving construction productivity and sustainability of infrastructure", in which he introduced Saudi Aramco's NM materials solutions based on the corrosion problem in the built environment. He also introduced walkway panels, GFRP poles for traffic signs, signal poles, FRP manholes, and FRP bridges. "NM materials provide unique sustainable materials opportunity and can meet difficult architectural designs. Saudi Aramco has developed NM strategy in building and construction sector and advancing with deployment." he said.
Prof. CHEN Guangming from South China University of Technology gave a presentation entitled "Use of hybrid FRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular members in bridge engineering: concept, research and application". He compared the carbon emissions of metal and FRP, introduced the types of FRP and various applications in the existing structures, and detailed the solutions to the creep, fire resistance and protection problems of the new FRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular members with 10 typical engineering cases. He pointed out that "The new composite structure of FRP is a low carbon, corrosion resistance, free or less maintenance structure, more suitable for assembled, modular and intelligent construction of bridge projects."
Prof. MA Minglei, from China Construction Eighth Engineering Division, delivered a speech on "Research and practice on application of large-tow carbon fiber composite cable/rod". He introduced the advantages and disadvantages of CFRP used in civil engineering, with application of large-tow CFRP cable and rod. He pointed out that large-tow CFRP is an important development direction for the future application, and the performance stability of large-tow CFRP should be paid more attention.
In the salon/Q&A session, Prof. FENG Peng summarized the presentations and discussed with the speakers and audience on the advantages and disadvantages of FRP, fire resistance of FRP and engineering applications. This forum was successfully concluded in a lively discussion.