NSF-CGP Science Fellowship Program: Advanced Composites for Concrete Structures

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This award will support a six-month long-term visit to Japan by Professor Antonio Nanni, Department of Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He will be undertaking a cooperative research project with Dr. Kazuhisa Yahagi, Technical Research Institute, Mitsui Construction Company in Tokyo and Professor Masanori Tsuji, Department of Civil Engineering, Science University of Tokyo in Noda. They will be researching the area of fiber-reinforced-plastic (FPR) composites for use as reinforcing elements in concrete structures. This will involve testing the fire-resistance of FRP reinforced concrete members to be sure it holds up to currently established standards and does not overheat or lose strengtrh in its rods when exposed to flaming fire. In addition, they will be studying the release of toxic products resulting from ignited FRP materials. They will further research the substitution of a thermoplastic resin to replace the more common thermoset resin. This may offer improved corrosion resistance and enhanced drainage tolerance. It could also reduce the processing time and may provide a cleaner working environment and infinite shelf life. This research will be followed by the preparation of educational materials, encompasssing the properties and design of this new construction material, to be used for instructional purposes. This research will likely result in the use of FRP in building construction which is currently being seriously considered by building designers because of the potential of improving manufacturing and lowering production costs. Professor Yahagi is a first-rate researcher and his Institute has recently acquired new facilities including a fire hood and a braiding machine which allows fire testing and manufacturing of the FRP composites. The Japanese construction industry is far more advanced in this technology than the U.S. Professor Nanni, who is a U.S. expert in this area, should obtain valuable information that he would be unable to obtain in the U.S. Professor Tsuji has visited Professor Nanni at his university for three months and this experience should assist them in the formulation of a curriculum course incorporating the reserach findings and new technologies for using FRP in building construction. Since previous collaborations between these researchers have been successful, it is anticipated that results from this project will be fruitful, as well, and of possible use throughout the world