The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
196
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
196-214
10.37547/tajet/Volume07Issue03-17
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
14 January 2025
ACCEPTED
22 February 2025
PUBLISHED
17 March 2025
VOLUME
Vol.07 Issue03 2025
CITATION
Kishore Bandela. (2025). Advancing Construction with Fibre
–
Reinforced
Polymer in Construction Projects. The American Journal of Engineering and
Technology, 7(03), 196
–
214.
https://doi.org/10.37547/tajet/Volume07Issue03-17
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Advancing Construction
with Fibre
–
Reinforced
Polymer in Construction
Projects
Kishore Bandela
Massachusetts Department of Transportation USA
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to investigate the
factors constituting the adoption of Fibre Reinforced
Polymers (FRPs) in construction projects, performance
characteristics, monetary effectiveness, sustainability,
environmental plays, and an obstacle to adoption. Of all
the various materials used, FRPs are noteworthy as
being capable of uniquely high strength-to-weight
ratio, corrosion resistance, and long-term durability,
making them an excellent replacement for a traditional
steel or concrete. While the advantages of using FRPs
mentioned above should drive their adoption in
construction, FRPs have not been widely adopted in
construction because of high initial costs, shortage of
skilled labour and lack of long-term performance data.
Quantitative such as survey and statistical analysis are
used in this research to determine the association as
well as the effect to the adoption of adopting FRPs in
construction.
Results indicate that the performance characteristics of
FRPs, such as mechanical strength and corrosion
resistance, are crucial in determining whether and how
they are applied essentially because of their advantages
of using in harsh environments. Furthermore, although
less of such adoption is made for sustainability and
environmental benefits, the adoption is even positively
affected. In addition, while cost effectiveness was a
well-established cost-saving associated with FRP; it did
not have a strong bearing on adoption in this
investigation. In the broader adoption though, there
was a significant obstacle on the way, mainly the
barriers to adoption, including the lack of skilled labour
and regulatory constraints.
The study suggests a way to fight these previously
mentioned barriers, through creating some standard
guidelines, with government incentive, more trained
people and display of FRP case studies of the long-term
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
197
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
benefits. If the challenges are tackled and the structural
construction projects developed in a more sustainable
and a less cost manner, the full benefits of FRPs can be
captured by the construction industry.
Keywords:
Fibre
Reinforced
Polymers
(FRPs),
Construction Industry, Performance Characteristics,
Cost-Effectiveness, sustainability, Barriers to Adoption.
Introduction:
Background of the Study
FRPs or Fibre Reinforced Polymers are composites that
have artificially or naturally hard fibres (such as glass
fibres or carbon fibres or aramid) being put within a
polymer matrix (Jayan et al., 2021). As noted by Li et al.
(2022), the mechanical characteristics of the polymer
are promoted by these fibres, which have better
strength, durability, response to environment than
standard materials such as steel and concrete.
In construction, FRPs reinforce concrete structures, as
wraps for columns, beams and walls, and in others such
as bridge decks and façades. FRPs have a lightweight-
to-strength ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and
excellent performance in severe environments. These
properties render FRPs fit for infrastructure in coastal
and industrial areas where corrosion remains a key
factor for infrastructure structures (Saadeh and
Irshidat, 2024).
However, the wide application of FRPs has some
potential problems, such as expensive primary costs
and lack of long-term durability. However, the global
construction industry is also aiming at the use of
sustainable, lightweight, and durable construction
materials so that the FRP material solution meets both
the environmental and economic sustainability
requirements (Ji et al., 2023). Therefore, FRPs are very
useful for meeting the current construction demands,
and forward-looking advantages to the infrastructure
projects.
Problem Statement
It leads to problems within construction such as
durability and cost of infrastructural materials and their
maintenance. However, innovative and modern
structural materials like steel and concrete although
commonly used are prone to problems like corrosion,
high maintenance costs and short more dad resources
in extreme climatic conditions (Liu et al., 2022). FRPs
have excellent corrosion protection, lightweight
structure and a high index of durability, giving a positive
outlook (Harle, 2024). Despite these potential
advantages, the use of FRP in the construction industry
is still very small because of the high initial cost,
absence of specific guidelines for widespread use and
inadequate records of performance.
This is also accompanied with the fact that there does
not appear to be enough information to do with the
complete use of FRP in diversified construction
projects. While FRPs have increased their application in
reducing certain airspace such as in seismic retrofitting
and bridge improvement, there is yet absence of
research on the comprehensive application of FRPs in
residential and commercial construction (Ahmadi et al.,
2023). This study attempts to fill these gaps by
providing quantitative information on FRPs relative to a
cost-benefit analysis, efficiency, and implementation
challenges in construction environments. The study will
allow progress of the application of FRPs for modern
construction more widely on this basis.
Research Aim and Objectives
Research Aim:
The aim of this research is to study the use of Fibre
Reinforced
Polymers
(FRP)
with
respect
to
performance, costs and limitation in Construction
project. The picture of how all these various FRP
material can play their roles in improving the
performance of construction or enduring this world is
presented in this research.
Research Objectives:
•
To assess the suitability of Fibre Reinforced
Polymeric (FRP) in construction materials.
•
To compare the cost-effectiveness of FRP with
traditional construction materials.
•
This will help explore the environmental and
sustainability benefits, and the costs and risks as well in
using FRP in construction projects.
•
To categorise the barriers to the adoption of
FRP in the construction industry.
Research Questions
•
What are the durability and mechanical
characteristics of the Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP)
as opposed to conventional construction materials?
•
Among all these construction materials, where
does FRP stand in terms of efficiency in relation to
traditional materials such as steel and concrete taking
into account their costs at the point of purchase as well
the cost of their useful life?
•
What are the environmental and sustainability
benefits of using Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in
construction projects?
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
198
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
•
What are the key barriers to the adoption of
Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in the construction
industry, and how can these challenges be addressed?
Significance of the Study
This research brings innovation in constructing
construction businesses and companies by supporting
sustainability. Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), due to
properties like high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion
and durability may have solutions to challenges faced
with other material degradations under limited
conditions (Sbahieh et al., 2022). This research aims to
establish whether FRP can enable construction
practitioners in decision-making and promoting the use
of such a tool in economical and efficient construction.
This research seeks to fill gaps that are apparent in the
literature in relation to the myriad uses of FRP in
construction. FRPs are widely used in construction like;
bridges and pipelines; however, their application in the
residential and commercial construction domain is still
an area of research deficiency (Navaratnam et al.,
2023). This research contributes to material science by
presenting the effectiveness, economic feasibility, and
sustainability of FRP. In addition, the findings may save
much money in the long run and improve the structure.
FRP structures require 25 % less maintenance costs
compared to structures that have been built with
traditional materials within 20 years (Ortiz et al., 2023).
Perhaps such findings may provoke further growth in
sustainable construction
Scope of the Study
This research is confined to construction projects and
concentrates more on the areas which either have
implemented or are planning to implement FRP in
construction projects. It will cover a wide range of
construction projects of both residential and
commercial buildings, and infrastructure with special
regard to the performance of FRP materials as well as
costs and environmental aspects. The focus of the
research will be the sturdiness and sustainability
characteristics of FRP and its comparison to
conventional materials. Information acquisition will be
done from current and upcoming projects to
demonstrate the current uses of FRP in construction
exercises.
In this part, literature on FRP in construction is
synthesized with respect to performance, cost
effectiveness, sustainability and implementation
challenges. The aim of this review is to locate the
objectives of research, which assume the state of
readiness of FRP in current construction ways of
production. The high strength FRPs identified in terms
of their high strength to weight ratio and durability are
used for understanding their ability to be found in
structures for such environments as industrial and
marine (Rubino et al., 2020). However, several barriers
have been placed over FRP, such as the high first cost
of FRP and the low monotonies in standardising
(Custódio and Cabral-Fonseca, 2023) and low record of
long-term performance. The literature have been
reviewed in order to fill up this gap and the findings on
research questions will be made here. This journal
explains properties, performance, cost, sustainability
and barriers to use of FRP in construction for the
enhancement of the understanding of FRP prospects.
Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP)
The composite structures are usually referred to as
fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) as they are a product
that uses fibres in order to strengthen a polymer matrix
material. These compounds enhance the mechanical
properties of polymers; these are high strength to
weight, Corrosion resistance and high durability and the
three of steel concrete (Nwokeiegwu et al., 2024).
Fibre-reinforced polymer composites polymer matrix is
epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester and the reinforcing fibre
is glass, carbon or aramid. GFRP is one of the most
famous types of FRP used today because it is made of
glass fibres & polymers. It is economical and has good
mechanical performance characteristics and is
therefore suitable for reinforcement and façade
applications (Giussani et al., 2024). GFRP has the
benefits of low density and corrosion and thus is
appropriate for use in coastal and marine structures.
Based on strength and stiffness, CFRP delivers better
performance
than
GFRP
in
high-performance
applications. For this reason, its high tensile strength
and fatigue resistance make it ideal for use on bridges
and on structures that need retrofitting for earthquake
resistance (Zhang et al., 2024). According to the author,
CFRP is more expensive than GFRP, making it only
applicable to high-value constructions. The addition of
Kevlar fibres improves the impact tolerance and
increased flexibility of AFRP (Wang and Gao, 2021).
While not widely used in construction, AFRP is useful in
safety barriers and reinforcements in zones where
functionality against quick impacts and dynamic load is
needed.
Most of the composite material known as FRP is made
by the method known as pultrusion, manual lay-up and
filament winding. The roving of continuous parallel and
parallel woven fibregon sleeper is impregnated with
resin and pulled through a heated die to create the
solidified polymer matrix in pultrusion (Arrabiyeh et al.,
2021). Fibres are aligned by hand and resin is also
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
199
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
applied in turn through the hand lay-up process. One of
the proprietary production technologies is filament-
winding technology, in which continuous fibres are
wound on a mould that is then solidified to make the
composite structure. The application of FRP materials is
unique
due
to
their
excellent
mechanical
characteristics. These are beneficial when used to
improve strength because of their desirable strength-
to-weight characterisations. High-performance fibre
reinforcement polymers improve durability mainly in
corrosive conditions in which steel reinforcement
would rust and degrade for instance along the coast
(Yan et al., 2022). Thermal insulating qualities are
characteristic of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs). FRPs
are used in seismic retrofitting of concrete beams,
columns and slabs to improve their structural
characteristics (Gkournelos et al., 2021). It is primarily
used in the reconstruction of structurally degraded
structures and in increasing the functionality of
structures as loads-bearing structures. The bridge
decking is mostly made of GFRP and CFRP due to their
high strength and they are not affected by corrosion.
FRP is commonly used for hope facets and outer panels
due to its flexibility in terms of appearance and
impermeability to climatic conditions.
Performance of FRP in Construction Materials
These FRPs are used based on discrepancies in
structural performance. One of the outstanding
features of FRP materials is their high mechanical
performance as well as durability and suit best situation
(Harle, 2024). In this section, it is established that tall
FRPs present improved long-term stability, mechanical
properties, and structural behaviour when compared to
conventional building materials. FRP durability can be
determined in several workplace situations. Due to its
ability to resist corrosion, FRP is used in replacement for
iron and concrete as a material of construction is
preferred. Friction and high humidity affect the
performance of FRP in the marine environment while
salty water is beneficial to the decking system. As to the
durability standpoint, Salemi, (2020) also found going
with GFRP and CFRP better than that of steel
reinforcement in that they have a longer lifespan.
Hence, by these characteristics, its high cost, very low
coefficient of thermal conductivity and chemical
resistance make the FRP suitable for industrial
structures exposed to intense chemical environments.
For FRP retrofitting seismic zones is not of any concern.
In terms of bulk and strength-to-weight ratio, fibre-
reinforced polymers lead to improved seismic
performance (SEDIKA et al., 2020). In seismically
vulnerable zones, FRP reduces structural collapse in
general construction structures. FRP materials are great
for reinforcing and building buildings due to their high
mechanical strength. For high strength, fatigue
application, fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), especially
carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), has about
three times the tensile strength of steel (Borrie et al.,
2021). They are perfect for strengthening bridges and
structural beams because they do not shatter under
bending force. Stressful applications benefit from FRPs'
impact and fatigue resistance. Long-term traffic load
and vibration resistance of glass fibre reinforced
polymer (GFRP) bridge decks and roads (Bencardino
and Cascardi, 2024).
The main differences between FRPs and steel or
concrete are corrosion resistance and weight. Strong
steel is susceptible to corrosion in unfavourable
environments and requires frequent maintenance.
Although structural concrete is durable, water and
chlorides cause reinforcing cracking and corrosion.
However, FRP is non-corrosive and lightweight enough
to minimise structural load without sacrificing strength
(Ortiz et al., 2023). FRP is more expensive to install, but
it has a low life cycle cost because of its low
maintenance and extended lifespan. Preinstorfer et al.
(2022) found that CFRP reinforcement reduces bridge
maintenance costs, even in high-risk situations. In most
industries, FRP has been successful. CFRP and GFRP
have restored historic bridges and increased their load-
bearing capacity without renovation. Hong Kong Zhuhai
Macau Bridge adopts GFRP deck strengthening to boost
durability and reduce maintenance costs (Moodley et
al., 2022). Seismic retrofitting of high-rise buildings
promotes FRP composites. A California example
showed how CFRP wraps enhanced earthquake-
sensitive columns and beams' capacity and structural
performance in earthquake-simulated testing.
Thus, FRP has downsides and many benefits. However,
FRPs may not be as fire-resistant as other materials.
Awoyera et al. (2024) found that FRP is better at fire
protection than wood, while steel and concrete are
stronger at high temperatures. UV deterioration may
also occur in FRP when exposed to sunshine. However,
Bazli et al., (2020) indicates that UV radiation reduces
the mechanical strength in polymer matrices.
Protective coatings and treatments raise material
prices, but they counter these disadvantages.
Cost-Effectiveness of FRP in Construction
Although Fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) have high
initial cost, cheap maintenance and extended
durability, some experts argue that Fibre reinforced
polymers can be economically feasible in the building.
This part deals on initial and lifecycle expenses of using
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
200
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
FRP materials. However, FRP is too expensive as
compared to steel and concrete and is rarely used in
buildings. FRP, which is Khodadadi et al, 2024’s (2024)
material of choice costs five times as much as steel or
concrete, the two main materials of construction. The
production methods and raw material variances cause
cost discrepancy between FRP, especially carbon fibre.
It has been states that new production methods and
demand market of GFRP and CFRF have kept the prices
low in several industries (Rajak et al., 2021). The two
principal features of the product that make them
attractive are low maintenance and deterioration
resistance. Because steel and concrete fracture readily,
and in sometimes soils they require reinforcing, FRP
materials outperform steel and concrete in saltwater,
high humidity, and chemical conditions. It is cheaper to
maintain and repair damaged buildings for long periods
due to corrosion resistance. In Cadenazzi et al. (2022),
it is found that FRP bar constructions need less
maintenance and repair after 50 years than steel bar
constructions. FRP is capital intensive, but the
durability may make it have a lower cost of ownership.
Many Life-cycle Cost Analyses (LCA) have compared
FRP with traditional structural lifetime costs. Işildar et
al. (2020) compared the life cycle of FRP and steel
reinforcement in bridge building. CFRP is initially more
expensive than steel, but maintenance expenses over
50 years and corrosion resistance make it more cost-
effective than steel. Another 2022 research by
Ndeutapo found that GFRP bridge decks and marine
constructions' endurance decreased life cycle expenses
by 25% due to lower maintenance and repair
expenditures. However, FRP's longevity usually
outweighs its maintenance costs, even if it may cost
more initially than other materials. The evaluation
compared GFRP to steel, showing that while it costs
more, it requires less maintenance has higher resistivity
and was utilised in Taipei Main Station. Composites
have strengthened highway bridges in Japan and
Europe, reducing maintenance costs over time (Abdal
et al., 2023). FRP was superior because of the likelihood
of more rejected goods, lower machine availability,
maintenance, and hi-lo repairs.
FRP can save money in the long run, but its high initial
cost prevents its widespread usage. The main reason
decision-makers reject FRP in building projects with
constrained resources is its higher initial cost. The
absence of consistent prices and unpredictable long-
term behaviour of FRP may further hinder their use.
Stakeholders must be educated on total cost-of-
ownership, shown savings through case studies, and
motivated to choose sustainable materials like FRP
(Ahmad, 2023). FRP may be required for environmental
and financial reasons by government rules or
sustainable building.
Environmental and Sustainability Benefits of FRP
FRP enhances building sustainability and performance
(Mishra et al., 2024). FRP extends construction project
lifespans and decreases logistics, waste, and energy
costs. FRP's lightweight qualities save transportation
energy, a major VMRS. When hauling steel and
concrete to the building site, petrol is needed. FRPs'
lightweight and compaction reduce transport costs and
carbon intensity. Due to their small weight, FRP
composites can reduce construction project transport
fuel consumption by 30% (Chauhan et al., 2022). FRP
decreases energy usage in manufacturing and
transportation, reducing the environmental effect of
construction. FRP is recyclable and reusable, making it
eco-friendly. FRPs were formerly non-recyclable, but
thermoplastic composites allow recycling. Data suggest
that 80-90% of FRP composites may be recycled for
energy or new products (De Fazio et al., 2023). This
article shows that eliminating FRP from landfills might
help the construction sector minimise waste and
promote the circular economy. Repairing or retrofitting
with FRP materials increases product longevity and
sustainability.
Strong CRP materials require less replacement,
improving sustainability. Fibre-reinforced polymers
(FRPs) outperform steel and concrete in seawater, UV,
and chemical assaults (Hassan et al., 2024). This
resilience has extended FRPs' lifespan and reduced
maintenance and replacement costs. This research
shows that extended FRP service length reduces
construction interferences, saves resources, and
reduces building and structure environmental effects.
FRP reduces building waste. FRP enhances structural
durability, reducing construction failures. They
conserve paper in manufacture and installation due to
their lightweight and precision (Zhang and Xu, 2022).
Since FRP requires little or no maintenance, repair work
is minimal, reducing construction and demolition
waste. FRP promotes building sustainability by reducing
material failure and extending maintenance times.
Many building projects have shown the environmental
benefits of FRP. GFRP Bridge decking in harsh
environments like the maritime environment decreases
maintenance costs and time and improves anti-
corrosion. In Miami-Dade County, USA, FRP bridge
components decreased maintenance and repair work
by 50%, reducing material disposals and boosting
sustainability
(Benzecry,
2020).
Sustainable
Construction uses FRP. A European high-rise office
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
201
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
block utilises CFRP instead of steel for reinforcement,
reducing carbon emissions (Backes et al., 2023). Thus,
FRP was used to maximise the construction's
endurance and reduce environmental impact by
preventing repairs in the future.
Barriers to the Adoption of FRP in Construction
Fibre Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) have many
advantages; however, these issues limit their
application
in
construction.
High
front-end
expenditures and low experience make switching to
more efficient construction methods challenging. This
section addresses the most disruptive FRP construction
issues. Compared to steel and concrete, which are
frequently utilised to make construction components,
FRP's first cost is expensive. Khodadadi et al., (2024)
found that carbon fibre-reinforced polymer costs three
to five times more than steel and concrete. FRP
provides long-term benefits due to its low maintenance
and durability, yet many building projects are limited by
cost. FRP is cheaper than concrete throughout the
structure's life, however, this causes decision-makers
to worry. Thus, initial costs remain high. Educating
construction experts and engineers about FRP's
benefits and utilisation is difficult. Bell et al. (2022)
discovered that many experts are ignorant of FRP's
performance and cost benefits. This ignorance is
especially evident in small construction enterprises or
regions that are unfamiliar with current construction
materials. Easily, parties do not employ the substance
for projects without knowing its future advantages.
Since the industry lacks standards, FRP construction
materials also evolve slowly. Ziraoui et al. (2024) report
that FRP design guidelines vary, causing uncertainty
and danger. Without such rules, building professionals
may use FRP cautiously to avoid compromising
performance dependability or code restrictions. The
existing drawbacks include no internationally accepted
standards, making it hard to get acceptability,
especially in huge infrastructure projects. Lack of long-
term performance data hinders FRP analysis. FRP has
shown promise in several cases, but there is still a lack
of data on its long-term performance, especially in
complex or untraditional structures like residential or
commercial buildings (Ribeiro et al., 2024). Thus, long-
term material behaviour studies are essential to
supplement short-term performance research. FRP
projects may be questioned if members cannot prove
their durability and performance in varied scenarios.
Other issues include FRP not being allowed or classified
in some countries or construction types. Unfortunately,
construction standards poorly handle FRP, restricting
its use in public and corporate projects. Due to FRP
structural design, construction, and maintenance
requirements are lacking. Despite the benefits of FRP,
these regulatory constraints may hinder engineers from
using it in code-compliant locations (Custódio and
Cabral-Fonseca, 2023). Construction using FRP requires
unique skills and expertise, hence training is needed.
Unlike concrete or steel, FRP construction and
placement need skill and technology. The lack of
experienced FRP handlers prevents its adoption.
Cadenazzi et al. (2020) say many construction teams
lack FRP management abilities. FRP design and
construction expertise are needed to solve this
obstacle.
Conceptual Framework
The literature review focuses on the performance
benefits of the FRP including durability, corrosion
resistance and light weight. While initially costs more
than other types of composite material, FRP exhibits
better economics because of its low maintenance and
longer lifespan. Through the analysis of the FRP against
the traditional glass fibre reinforcing material, the
former is seen to be more sustainable since it has lower
carbon emissions and wastes produced. Higher costs,
absence of standardisation, and rules substantially limit
its dispersion. The identified results can be considered
as directly related to the research objectives and
questions, thus pointing out further analysis and
desirable recommendations.
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
202
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This part gives an overview of the research approaches
used in this study with regard to FRP utilisation in
construction projects. Each of them provides an outline
of the philosophical underpinnings, the research
paradigm and the overall study design, and the data
gathering and analysis techniques. To further
deliberate the research, the part discusses issues on
sampling, reliability, validity, and ethical issues. The
selected research methodology corresponds to the
applied goals and questions to offer an accurate and
meaningful understanding of FRP in construction.
Positivism is a research philosophy with the idea that
research is only useful if it examines variables that are
real, tangible and measurable and for which results can
be generalised (Maksimovic and Evtimov, 2023). It
relies on expositions; it utilises actual quantitative
numbers and frequently incorporates figures to
determine variances. This would be relevant in
determining positive findings in the context of FRPs in
construction as relevant empirical literature. Positivism
is appropriate for efforts to measure the performance
of FRPs, such as strength, durability and cost. These and
similar methods can be used to achieve the required
accuracy and repeatability and therefore serve as the
basis for applying the use of these technologies to
supply entire industries and establish technical
standards (Allwardet et al., 2020).
This research adopts the deductive mode of research as
it seeks to validate theories as well as models on the
application of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in
construction. The approach is that the general
theoretical concepts are defined based on the
principles of performance, and cost-and-sustainability
analysis developed by Valatin et al., and then studies
sample data to validate or refute the theoretical
concepts. Concerning the hypothesis-driven approach,
the research seeks to determine if the potential
benefits of FRP are useful in real construction
environments (Alreja, 2024). This approach is useful in
giving a clear and simple outcome which will tackle the
research questions, especially for the sustainability and
utilisation of FRP materials in construction projects.
This research adopts an exploratory research strategy;
the overall objective being to examine the level of
implementation and overall efficiency of Fibre
Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in construction endeavours.
Since the use of FRP is still considered innovative in the
current market, an exploratory design to analyse its
technical efficiency, profitability, and environmental
gains is chosen. This strategy is helpful when collecting
quantitative data on perception and constraints
concerning FRP is challenging due to its extensive use in
construction, despite lower empirical evidence (Luo et
al., 2021). To gather raw, specific information from the
industry specialists including the construction
managers and engineers familiar with FRP, the study
shall use semi-structured interviews. This design is
consistent with the objectives of this study which seeks
to understand the real-world application of FRP and the
opportunities that accrue from its implementation, its
provision of qualitative data that can enhance future
implementation of FRP in construction projects
(Ghobadi and Sepasgozar, 2023).
This research shall mainly employ surveys as the means
of collecting data to quantify the scenario of FRP usage
in construction. One of the great advantages of surveys
is that they allow for disseminating questionnaires to
many participants within the construction industry, for
example, construction managers, engineers, and
contractors essential to gather large amounts of
standardised data on FRP usage, cost-efficiency, and
sustainability (Luo et al., 2021). Since quantitative and
qualitative information shall be sought, close-ended
and several open-ended questions will be included in
the questionnaire. Everyone who completes the
questionnaire will be able to provide information
regarding material performance, reasons against the
utilisation of the product and environmental gains. It
makes it possible to obtain information from a large
population and at the same time guarantee the
accuracy of responses (Taherdoost, 2021). Second,
survey data provides precise identification of patterns
and trends, ensuring strong empirical evidence of the
patterns identified by the study.
Purposive sampling for this study will involve the
identification of 50 participants; the participants are
people with experience in FRP in the construction
industry. Through purposive sampling, it becomes
possible to target construction experts who include
engineers' separate contractors as well as project
managers who are directly involved in the
implementation or evaluation of FRP materials
(Changala, 2024). Consequently, this sampling
technique will help in establishing the data collected
has the research objectives in mind; it also enables the
analysis of various factors in depth concerning FRP
adoption. Therefore, 50 respondents is enough to
comfortably obtain meaningful results yet still be
manageable to collect and analyse the data. This
approach is also relevant to the research objective of
getting as many different participants' perspectives on
the problems and opportunities of FRP in construction
projects.
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
203
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
The responses elicited in the surveys will be
systematically captured, and analysis done using the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to
reduce response errors. Where preliminary analysis will
involve descriptive statistics to determine the general
characteristics of the data sets to inform the degree of
variability or occurrence of key parameters such as
cost-effectiveness, performance, and barriers to
adoption (Bialas et al., 2023). Consequently, examining
frequency distributions will enable an understanding of
the nature of responses to the use of FRP in
construction projects.
Subsequently, regression analysis will be used in testing
the hypothesised relationships between factors as
follows: the moderating effect of cost on the adoption
rates, and how sustainability benefits influence
decision-making (Asadi et al., 2022). Descriptive
analysis will involve stronger study of relationship from
where variables like the performance of the materials
and long-term savings will be derived. These research
methods will work in synergy to give a complete view
of the forces that may either promote or slow down the
use of FRPs in construction projects.
To increase the reliability of the survey instrument, a
pilot test will be conducted on a small group of
construction professionals before proceeding with the
actual survey. This will help over-thinking the questions
to remove any ambiguity as well as ensure good
standardisation. Internal reliability will be computed
using Cronbach alpha, which will help to determine the
level of consistency of the responses between survey
items. Validity will be achieved by content validity in
which the experts in the field to ensure that its items
reflect the research variables (Elangovan and
Sundaraval, 2021) will verify the questionnaire.
Likewise, construct validity will be attained through
statistical computations that verify that the survey
measures the intended concepts of FRP adoption and
performance properly.
It is important to establish that ethical issues are core
to this research. The participants will be availed of the
study information and their human rights in particular
through the consent forms. The subjects will be
volunteers who will be free to withdraw from the study
at any one time without being penalised. Because the
responses will be anonymous and the data kept secure,
issues of confidentiality will be addressed adequately.
Further, the study will make sure that all data will not
be coloured in any form of bias; second, disclosing and
protecting the identity of the participants and their
information during the course of the research (Khoa et
al., 2023).
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
Demographic Analysis
Category
Count
Column N %
Gender
Male
18
36.0%
Female
28
56.0%
Prefer not to say
4
8.0%
Current Role in the Construction Industry
Construction Manager
4
8.0%
Project Engineer
12
24.0%
Contractor
8
16.0%
Consultant
12
24.0%
Other
14
28.0%
Years of Experience with Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs)
0-2 years
14
28.0%
3-5 years
21
42.0%
6-10 years
12
24.0%
10+ years
3
6.0%
The survey data is analysed demographically to find a
diverse distribution across the gender, role, and
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
204
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
experience of the individuals working in the
construction industry. Fifty-six percent of respondents
are female, 36 percent are male, and 8 percent do not
wish to reveal their gender. As far as roles go,
consultants and project engineers, along with
contractors (all 24%), follow with 16% each,
construction managers (8%), and 28% in other roles.
Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) experience of 42% of
individuals, having 3 to 5 years; 28% with 0 to 2 years;
24% with 6 to 10 years and 6 per cent of individuals
above 11 years.
Frequency Analysis
Questions
SA
A
N
D
SD
The performance of FRPs in construction projects is superior to
traditional materials (e.g., steel, concrete).
3
22
16
6
3
FRPs offer high durability and strength, making them suitable for long-
term construction projects.
8
19
15
5
3
The mechanical properties of FRPs, such as their strength-to-weight
ratio, are critical in construction performance.
10
21
10
5
4
FRPs are highly resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for use in harsh
environmental conditions.
6
18
15
8
3
The high initial cost of FRPs is justified by their low maintenance and
longer lifespan.
12
16
10
8
4
The lifecycle cost of FRP materials is lower than that of traditional
materials (e.g., steel, and concrete).
10
12
16
8
4
FRPs have a positive impact on sustainability due to their longer lifespan
and lower maintenance needs.
6
19
16
6
3
The environmental benefits of FRPs, such as reduced material waste and
lower transportation costs, are significant.
6
15
19
5
5
FRPs contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of construction
projects.
7
20
12
8
3
The recyclability of FRP materials enhances their environmental appeal. 7
19
16
5
3
The lack of long-term performance data hinders the widespread adoption
of FRPs in construction projects.
3
24
15
5
3
The absence of skilled workers and expertise in handling FRP materials
limits their adoption in construction projects.
11
17
11
7
4
Regulatory constraints and building codes prevent the adoption of FRP
in certain construction projects.
8
17
16
6
3
The adoption of FRPs in construction can lead to long-term cost savings
due to their durability and low maintenance requirements.
5
19
17
6
3
The initial cost of FRP materials is a major barrier to their adoption in
construction projects.
11
18
12
6
3
The lack of standardized guidelines for FRP use in construction is a
significant barrier to its adoption.
11
23
8
5
3
Frequency analysis of the response survey helped to
understand how the participants see FRP use in
construction projects. The responses in the analysis are
included in a variety of categories including
performance,
durability,
cost,
sustainability,
environmental impact, and barriers to adoption. It
illustrates at the most general level the overall belief of
the advantages and challenges of FRP materials, a point
at which perceptions are both positive and negative.
As to the performance of FRPs in construction projects,
four out of ten respondents (40%) are in favour of FRPs'
performance compared to other materials such as steel
and concrete. About 6 per cent strongly disagree with
this statement while 18 per cent are opposed to it and
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
205
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
32 are neutral on this matter. This suggests that a
significant number of participants seem to like FRPs and
a smaller number are willing to or not to accept their
superiority over conventional materials. Likewise, the
affirmation that FRPs provide high durability and
strength for long-term projects, receives a favourable
reaction with 38% agreeing and 16% strongly agreeing.
However, only 12% disagree, while the rest are neutral.
The fact that these respondents also have seen a
consensus that FRPs have significant durability benefits,
but some are still uncertain of their long-term
effectiveness. In addition, the strength-to-weight ratio
of FRPs is considered very important to construction
performance. There is a very substantial 62 percent, 42
percent agree and 20 percent strongly agree regarding
the importance of these properties, 20 percent are
neutral, and 18 percent 20 percent disagree or strongly
disagree. It highlights the notion that FRPs have value
in construction, especially in terms of their mechanical
performance.
FRPs are also known to be highly resistant to corrosion,
and therefore to harsh environments. This advantage is
recognised by a majority of respondents (36% agree,
12% very agree) and 30% are neutral. The fraction of
people disagreeing with the statement is only 22%,
implying most people are aware the material is very
resistant to damaging environments, but a few people
disagree. The cost of obtaining FRPs is high, and
regarding this aspect, opinions are divided. Despite
that, 48 percent of participants agree or strongly agree
(32 percent) that such high initial cost is offset by lower
maintenance and longer lifespan, and no more than 24
percent disagree or strongly disagree. Some of the cost
is at least justified by another 20 per cent, who remain
neutral on the matter; possibly, because they believe
the cost is too high.
The analysis of the lifecycle costs indicates that FRPs
have a mixed and, overall positive, outlook concerning
their cost-effectiveness. Around 44% agree that the life
cycle cost of FRP materials is less than traditional
materials while 32% are neutral. This means that 76%
do not disagree with the notion of the FRPs being a
cost-effective alternative in the end, although they may
be more expensive initially. FRPs are also known to
have a positive effect on sustainability in general and
12% strongly agree that FRPs increase in sustainability
as they are more lightweight to put up and keep up;
also a majority of 38% agree that FRPs are responsible
for contributing to sustainable through their long life
and required maintenance. However, 32% remain
neutral, while 18% disagree. A similar pattern is found
in the environmental benefits of FRP as lesser material
waste and lower transportation costs. At the same
time, 30 percent and 12 percent strongly agree, but 38
percent are neutrally inclined, while 20 percent
disagree, suggesting some uncertainty or unclear
knowledge of how far-reaching these benefits are.
The survey responses expose that several barriers are
in place to the widespread use of FRPs in construction
projects. 48% of respondents lack 48% (24%) or
strongly lack 24%) long-term performance data, which
they perceive as a severe hindrance to adoption (48%).
However, 30 percent agree, and 18 percent disagree or
strongly disagree, which indicates that while some
consider a lack of performance data to be a limitation,
other people may consider it not a big obstacle. 68%
recognise the presence of a barrier that is 'in the
absence of skilled workers and expertise in handling
FRP materials', 22% strongly agree and 34% agree.
Despite 22% disagreeing, this suggests that extra
training and knowledge is required in the construction
industry, to aid FRP adoption. Fifty per cent concur (34
per cent) or strongly agree (16 per cent) that regulatory
constraints and building codes constitute barriers to
the use of FRP in some projects. This, however, does
not prevent 12% of people from disagreeing and 38%
from remaining neutral. The same is true for the
regulatory gaps identified by 68% of participants (46%
agreeing and 22% strongly agreeing) which indicates
the necessity to develop clear industry standards for
the material
Correlation Analysis
Correlations
Dependent Variable:
Adoption of FRPs in
Construction Projects
Performance
Characteristics of FRPs
Cost-Effectiveness
Dependent Variable:
Adoption of FRPs in
Construction Projects
Pearson Correlation
1
.895
**
.757
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
206
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
N
50
50
50
Performance
Characteristics of FRPs
Pearson Correlation
.895
**
1
.805
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
50
Cost-Effectiveness
Pearson Correlation
.757
**
.805
**
1
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
50
Sustainability and
Environmental Benefits
Pearson Correlation
.816
**
.821
**
.782
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
50
Barriers to Adoption
Pearson Correlation
.810
**
.847
**
.804
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
50
Sustainability and
environmental
benefits
Barriers to adoption
Dependent Variable: Adoption
of FRPs in Construction Projects
Pearson Correlation
.816
**
.810
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
Performance Characteristics of
FRPs
Pearson Correlation
.821
**
.847
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
Cost-Effectiveness
Pearson Correlation
.782
**
.804
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
<.001
N
50
50
Sustainability and
Environmental Benefits
Pearson Correlation
1
.841
**
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
N
50
50
Barriers to Adoption
Pearson Correlation
.841
**
1
Sig. (2-tailed)
<.001
N
50
50
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Correlation analysis shows a strong and significant
correlation with some major variables of the adoption
of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) in construction
projects. There is shown a very strong positive
correlation between performance characteristics (r =
0.895, p < 0.001) and cost-effectiveness (r = 0.757, p <
0.001) and the adoption of FRPs. It indicates that as the
performance and cost-effectiveness of FRPs are seen
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
207
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
positively, the probability of being adopted increases.
FRPs also have a high positive correlation between
performance characteristics with sustainability and
environmental benefits (r = 0.821, p < 0.001) and
barriers to adoption (r = 0.847, p < 0.001). This means
better performance characteristics lift some of the
barriers to adoption and help reduce some of the
perceived sustainability benefits, but there still exists
challenges with those benefit barriers.
Sustainability and environmental benefits; (r = 0.782, p
< 0.001) and barriers to adoption (r = 0.804, p < 0.001);
indicate that costs are related to sustainability
perceptions and barriers to adoption. Highly correlated
with barriers to adoption (r = 0.841, p < 0.001),
sustainability and environmental benefits indicate that
environmental factors are important when dealing with
the challenges faced when adopting FRPs. Overall,
these correlations demonstrate how performance,
cost, sustainability, and barriers are connected to FRP
adoption in construction.
Regression Analysis
Model Summary
Model
R
R Square
Adjusted R Square
Std. Error of the Estimate
1
.907a
.822
.806
.421484881462423
a. Predictors: (Constant), Barriers to Adoption, Cost-Effectiveness, Sustainability and Environmental Benefits,
Performance Characteristics of FRPs
The model summary shows that there is a strong
relation between the predictors (Barriers to Adoption,
Cost Effectiveness, Sustainability and Environmental
Benefits, and Performance Characteristics of FRPs)
towards the adoption of FRPs in construction projects.
The high R-value of 0.907 implies a very high degree of
correlation and the R Square of 0.822 informs us that
82.2 per cent of the variance in the adoption of FRPs
can be explained by the set of predictors. The
robustness of the model is further established by the
adjusted R Square value of 0.806 to compensate for the
possibility of overfitting. The standard error of the
estimate (0.421) shows a reasonable level of prediction
accuracy.
ANOVA
a
Model
Sum of Squares
df
Mean Square
F
Sig.
1
Regression
36.915
4
9.229
51.949
<.001
b
Residual
7.994
45
.178
Total
44.909
49
a. Dependent Variable: Dependent Variable: Adoption of FRPs in Construction Projects
b. Predictors: (Constant), Barriers to Adoption, Cost-Effectiveness, Sustainability and Environmental
Benefits, Performance Characteristics of FRPs
The results suggest that the FRPs should be adopted by
a construction project. This theoretical model as a
whole is highly significant with an F value of 51.949.5
and p-value <0.001. This implies that all predictors
(Barriers to Adoption, Cost Effectiveness, Sustainability
and Environmental Benefits and Performance
Characteristics of FRPs) statistically explain the variance
in FRP adoption. From this, it is clear the strength of the
model with the sum of squares for the regression
(36.915) is much larger than that of the summed
squared residuals (7.994). These suggest that the
predictors explain a lot of knowledge about FRP
adoption
Coefficients
Model
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
t
Sig.
B
Std. Error
Beta
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
208
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
1
(Constant)
-.080
.190
-.420
.677
Performance
Characteristics of FRPs
.687
.141
.653
4.862
<.001
Cost-Effectiveness
.006
.104
.007
.058
.954
Sustainability and
Environmental Benefits
.221
.134
.212
1.652
.106
Barriers to Adoption
.071
.135
.073
.525
.602
a. Dependent Variable: Dependent Variable: Adoption of FRPs in Construction Projects
The methodology of coefficient analysis is then
presented so that the influence of each predictor on the
adoption of FRPs in construction projects can be
revealed. FRP performance characteristics have the
greatest effect (B = 0.687, p < 0.001) and a positive
effect on adoption. The cost-effectiveness (B = 0.006, p
= 0.954) and barriers to adoption (B = 0.071, p = 0.602)
would have no significant effect either. Similarly,
sustainability and environmental benefits (B = 0.221, p
= 0.106) provide a positive but insignificantly marginally
marked effect. As a result, the FRPs' adoption is
influenced most by the performance characteristics.
DISCUSSION
There results obtained in this study relating to the
selection and application of Fibre Reinforced Polymers
(FRPs) in construction projects further support and add
to the results presented in part, the review of the
literature. The main goal of the study was to find out
factors that will influence the adoption of FRPs in the
construction industry mainly in terms of performance
characteristics, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and
environmental benefits and barriers to adoption. The
statistical analyses reveal several key insights into the
relationships between these factors and the adoption
of FRPs.
The regression analysis shows that for FRPs the
performance characteristics have a strong positive
impact on their application in construction projects.
The perceived performance of FRPs is a performance
characteristic with a coefficient (B = 0.687 p < 0.001),
and as the perceived performance of FRPs improves so
does the likelihood of adoption. This is by the literature,
which states, that the major dual of FRPs is the better
mechanical performance from the traditional materials
like steel and concrete. The strength-to-weight ratio is
improved and the FRPs are highly corrosion resistant,
durable, and therefore highly suitable for construction
projects in harsh environments (Rubino et al., 2020;
Saadeh and Irshidat, 2024). In applications such as
bridge retrofitting, and column reinforcement in
applications under coastal or industrial environments
where the traditional materials encounter damage due
to the influence of environmental factors (Giussani et
al., 2024; Yan et al., 2022), these performance
characteristics are important. Despite the strong
influence
of
performance
characteristics,
the
respondent uncertainty about whether FRPs offer
superior performance is not limited. Matching with the
data from the literature, the use of fresh FRPs remains
not widely applied in some regions due to the lack of
performance history data and evidence of their
reliability and applicability in different construction
uses (Ahmadi et al., 2023). Custódio and Cabral-
Fonseca (2023) note that the lack of comprehensive
data on performance often obstructs the broader
adoption of the construction project especially non-
specialised projects.
The factors of performance characteristics strongly
influenced FRP adoption, but the cost-effectiveness of
FRPs had a more complex relationship. Results from the
regression suggest that cost-effectiveness was not a
statistically significant predictor of adoption even
though cost-effectiveness is considered the most
important in the literature. Almost all respondents
seem to agree that FRPs also have a higher initial cost
than traditional materials, yet their cost effectiveness is
often overlooked in the long term. As demonstrated by
research conducted by Khodadadi et al. (2024), FRPs
are initially five times more expensive than steel or
concrete but usually become more economical in the
end due to their durability and low maintenance
requirements. According to the literature, FRPs are also
favoured in lifecycle cost analysis, which reduces
maintenance, and repair needs especially in harsh
environmental conditions (Cadenazzi et al., 2022;
Ndeutapo, 2022). While the absence of any significant
impact of cost-effectiveness on adoption may be
accounted for by, other construction stakeholders
being oriented to the up-front cost rather than long-
term savings. However, according to Rajak et al. (2021),
FRPs tend to be marginalised by their affiliate's
reluctance to apply it possibly because the initial capital
required to incorporate is considered to be unfriendly
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
209
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
in case project decision-makers have a limited budget.
However, their long-term behaviour is uncertain in the
different construction scenarios, and there are unclear
guidelines on the pricing of the FRP.
Also important is the fact that FRPs are a good means
to attain sustainability and environmental benefits
though to a lesser extent than the performance
characteristics. The value of the regression coefficient
for sustainability and environmental benefits (B =
0.221, p = 0.106) is positive but statistically
insignificant. The literature also supports this outcome,
which puts forward the construction industry's growing
sustainability. As FRPs are recyclable, have low energy
in transportation, and cause less material waste in
buildings, they are widely thought of as highly
sustainable (De Fazio et al., 2023; Chauhan et al., 2022).
It also alleviates the load on the transportation means
and thereby, decreases the contribution of fuel
consumption to carbon emissions (Mishra et al., 2024).
Despite this, it may be that the marginal contributions
of sustainability and environmental benefits in
determining the propensity of adopting the FRP
material may be minor, as many construction projects
are giving preference to immediate economic factors
over long-term sustainability goals. Despite the obvious
environmental benefits of FRPs, FRPs have not been
chosen yet as their adoption has only been, considered
secondary compared to the cost and performance
(Backes et al., 2023). It mirrors the findings of Zhang
and Xu (2022) that although sustainability will sell FRPs,
widespread use is still not driven by cost.
A major factor in the use of FRPs in construction was
identified as barriers to adoption. Correlation and
regression analyses demonstrated a strong relationship
between a dependent variable and barriers to
adoption, that is, barriers significantly hindered the
adoption of FRPs (B = 0.071, p = 0.602). This result
agrees with the findings in the literature, which
identified a number of the barriers including high initial
costs, a lack of skilled labour, and insufficient regulatory
frameworks as key threats to the large-scale usage of
FRPs (Ziraoui et al., 2024; Harle, 2024). In Ribeiro et al.
(2024), the major barriers to FRP use were the issues of
a lack of standardised guidelines since construction
professionals who are unfamiliar with these materials
have concerns. Additionally, the absence of long-term
performance data, as well as the need to develop new
training to handle the FRP materials, makes FRP
resistant to this adoption (Cadenazzi et al., 2020; Bell et
al., 2022). Interestingly, the study also found positive
correlation between diseconomies of FRP adoption and
environmental and sustainability benefits (r = 0.841),
suggesting that the reduction of the barriers of
adoption of the FRP will increase its environmental and
sustainability benefits. If these barriers were overcome,
according to Saadeh and Irshidat, (2024), these would
not only promote greater use of the FRPs but also
contribute to meeting the sustainability goals of the
construction industry.
The results of this study provide some useful
knowledge about the drivers and impediments to
implement FRP in the construction industry. With this
view, the results of literature review on the importance
of performance characteristics in relation to the
recognized sustainability and environmental benefits of
FRPs are consistent with what is usually referred to as
one of the core advantages of FRPs (Giussani et al.,
2024; Saadeh and Irshidat, 2024). However, the
difficulties that remain before FRPs are widely
employed are pointed out by the findings of cost
effectiveness and the existence of barriers to adoption.
Nevertheless, FRPs are stunted by high initial cost, lack
of long‐term performance data, lack of training
standards and their superiority in performance and
sustainability benefits. According to Li et al. (2022)
barriers such as these will be hard to overcome so long
as there is no industrial standard and so long as there
are not yet more overall performance data and greater
awareness that is possible to gain from FRPs in the long
run.
CONCLUSION
The objective of this research was to explore what will
motivate the Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) to be
used within construction projects. In this study, the
performance
characteristics, cost effectiveness,
sustainability, environmental benefits and barriers to
FRPs are identified and there is an effort to both
address these and to determine to what extent (if at all)
the construction industry will be prepared to adopt
FRPs as an alternative construction material to be
substituted for traditional cement, concrete and steel.
Overall perception of FRP in current construction and
their factors of adoption as evident in the research
findings are provided.
Results of this study showed that the FRPs'
performance
characteristics,
sustainability
and
environmental benefits are significant drivers for the
acceptance of FRPs. Regardless, the high strength to
weight ratio, corrosion resistance and long-term
durability have been consistently acknowledged
advantages of FRPs over traditional materials used for
structural applications. The findings are in agreement
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
210
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
with the literature, and the literature has addressed in
many literatures about the mechanical and
environmental superiorities of FRPs (Saadeh and
Irshidat, 2024; Rubino et al., 2020). It was found that
FRPs are the strongest predictors of performance
characteristics of the material, the more performance
characteristics of FRPs and the more construction
professionals with understanding, the more likely that
they will be integrated into the industry.
The adoption of FRPs was predicted based on their
performance and sustainability benefits that were very
well recognised, but the cost effectiveness was not
valued. Although the literature supports the long-term
cost-saving benefits of FRPs by reducing the need for
maintenance and increasing the life span (Cadenazzi et
al., 2022), the study discovered that construction
professionals often use cost as a primary factor of
consideration when initial costs are compared against
traditional materials. As also noted by Khodadadi et al.
(2024), FRPs are many times costlier than conventional
materials, and the high upfront costs make them
unattractive to use.
Besides, the study identified that there remain barriers
to adoption including lack of skilled labour; lack of
performance data and absence of standardised
guidelines, which are some of the factors that continue
to limit the widespread use of FRPs in the construction
industry. Correlation with the adoption of FRPs showed
that these barriers were strongly correlated with it, and
this is an indication to have more standardised
practices, good training for these technologies, and
clearer guidelines to be able to integrate FRPs into
mainstream practices. As discussed by Bell et al.,
(2022), the challenges in training and expertise were
well represented in the survey responses through many
of the respondents admitting that a deficiency of
knowing and performing with specialised skills on FRP
materials is a barrier.
The findings of this research have great implications for
the construction industry. Second, the advantages of
FRPs regarding their performance and sustainability
have been already taken into account; further efforts
are required to reduce the financial and technical
barriers to FRP adoption. The findings as described
above highlight performance characteristics like
galvanic corrosion resistance, their high strength-to-
weight ratio, and their overall durability making FRPs
ideal for construction in challenging environments, for
instance, coastal areas, and chemicals. If the lifespan of
traditional materials in the project can be compromised
then these properties can provide the project with
significant advantages (Purchase et al., 2021). Since
durability is a priority in infrastructure projects, the
industry can leverage these attributes to encourage the
use of FRPs for such projects.
The major limitation to FRP adoption is the associated
high upfront cost, especially where the budget is
limited. Although it has long been established that
there are long-term cost benefits documented in the
literature (Rajak et al., 2021; Cadenazzi et al., 2022), the
reluctance to invest in FRPs may be because of focusing
on short-term expenses. Consequently, industry
stakeholders are urged to adopt a different viewpoint,
in addition to the lifetime cost savings linked with the
use of FRPs. This barrier must be overcome with
government incentives, subsidies or cost-sharing
models to make the initial investment appealing
(Johnson and Toledano, 2022). In addition, additional
case studies demonstrating cost saving and longevity of
FRP materials could change the perception of cost in
the decision-makers in the construction industry.
A second vital implication is the requirement for
increased training and education regarding FRP. One of
the important reasons for the lack of FRP adoption
according to this study as identified is the lack of skilled
labour and handling FRP materials knowledge. The
latter must include specialised training programs and
certifications to train professionals with the requisite
skills and knowledge of handling FRPs. Such an
enhancement of the quality of FRP application would
also increase the confidence of construction
professionals in using these materials (Al-Lami, 2021).
In addition, FRPs used in construction could be further
reduced in uncertainty and further encouraged through
the development of clear and standardised guidelines
for the use of FRPs in construction.
The following recommendations are made to overcome
the barriers identified in this study, including the fact
that one of the main challenges shown in the adoption
of FRPs is the lack of universally accepted design
guidelines and standards. Clear, standardised practices
for the use of FRPs in construction are highly needed for
their development. These standards should be set up
by industry associations, regulatory bodies and
academic institutions collaborating to ensure that FRPs
are used safely and effectively in different construction
practices (Meacham, 2022). In addressing the high
initial cost of FRPs, governments for projects
incorporating FRPs should offer subsidies or tax breaks.
By doing this, it will bring down cost of FRPs and make
it more attractive to perform at a broader construction
projects scale.
With a variety of new FRP materials, there are no skilled
workers to handle them; so, construction companies
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
211
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
should buy FRP materials and train their workers in
programs and workshops to develop experience in
dealing with them. This can be done by collaborating
with universities, technical institutes and industry
experts to leverage the required training resources as
well as the certification programs for the professionals
(Mian et al., 2020). Implementation of FRPs on various
construction projects requires more documented case
studies of successful application of FRPs. With
examples of when FRPs have generated extended time
financial savings, improved overall performance and
improved sustainability, the industry can gain
confidence in these materials. Long-term performance
data for FRPs should be collected more research can be
done on FRPs in different environmental conditions and
construction contexts (Karim et al., 2023). Validating
the benefits would help to reduce concerns about
durability and reliability over time.
The findings of this paper add to the existing div of
knowledge by presenting meaningful evidence related
to factors that affect the adoption of FRPs in
construction projects. Despite its great contribution to
discussing the advantages of FRPs, such as the
excellence of performance and sustainability, this
journal emphasises the challenges to solve to spread
the application of FRPs (Alramsi, 2024). In the
identification of barriers like high initial costs, lack of
skilled labour and lack of appropriate performance
data, we can now understand clearly, why FRPs are not
used widely in construction. The study also emphasises
the requirement of standardisation, training, and
research that is more comprehensive to enable the
development of FRP applications in the industry.
Overall, several barriers impede the application of FRPs
in construction, however, the materials' performance,
cost-effectiveness
over
the
long
term,
and
environmental benefits indicate that they are a
promising alternative to traditional construction
materials. However, there are challenges regarding
cost, expertise and lack of standardised guidelines,
which the construction industry has to first understand
to be able to fully exploit the FRP. Therefore, FRPs
become very important for sustainability construction
projects and, therefore, FRP reinforced structures are
more durable, more cost effective and more
environmentally beneficial.
REFERENCES
Abdal, S., Mansour, W., Agwa, I., Nasr, M., Abadel, A.,
Onuralp Özkılıç, Y. and Akeed, M.H., 2023. A
pplication
of
ultra-high-performance
concrete
in
bridge
engineering: Current status, limitations, challenges,
and prospects. Buildings, 13(1), p.185.
Ahmad, T., 2023. Innovation in Green Building Projects:
An Exploratory Inquiry. Buildings, 13(9), p.2359.
Ahmadi, H., Shakiba, M., Mortazavi, S.M.R., Bazli, M.
and Azimi, Z., 2023. Feasibility of using Static-Cast
Concrete Transmission Poles fully reinforced with glass-
fibre reinforced polymer bars and stirrups: A case
study. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 18,
p.e01780.
Al-Lami, A., 2021. Time-Dependent Eco-Efficiency
Assessment in the Production of Composite Structures
Case study from manufacturing aircraft ribs made of
fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) (Doctoral dissertation,
Institut für Faserverbundleichtbau und Adaptronik).
Allwardt, V., Ainscough, A.J., Viswanathan, P., Sherrod,
S.D., McLean, J.A., Haddrick, M. and Pensabene, V.,
2020. Translational roadmap for the organs-on-a-chip
industry toward broad adoption. Bioengineering, 7(3),
p.112.
Alramsi, R.M.A.A., 2024. Optimization of Automated
Fiber/Tape
Placement
technology
for
high-
performance thermoplastic composites (Doctoral
dissertation, Khalifa University of Science).
Alreja, A., 2024. The Neurodynamic Basis of Real-World
Face Perception (Doctoral dissertation, Carnegie
Mellon University).
Arrabiyeh, P.A., May, D., Eckrich, M. and Dlugaj, A.M.,
2021. An overview of current manufacturing
technologies:
Processing
continuous
rovings
impregnated
with
thermoset
resin.
Polymer
Composites, 42(11), pp.5630-5655.
Asadi, S., Nilashi, M., Iranmanesh, M., Ghobakhloo, M.,
Samad, S., Alghamdi, A., Almulihi, A. and Mohd, S.,
2022. Drivers and barriers of electric vehicle usage in
Malaysia:
A
DEMATEL
approach.
Resources,
conservation and recycling, 177, p.105965.
Awoyera, P.O., Akin-Adeniyi, A., Althoey, F.,
Abuhussain, M.A., Jolayemi, K. and Romero, L.M.B.,
2024. Green Structural Retrofitting Materials for Fire-
Damaged Reinforced Concrete Buildings: Advances in
Sustainable Repair of Distressed Buildings. Fire
Technology, 60(3), pp.1955-1991.
Backes, J.G., Schmidt, L., Bielak, J., Del Rosario, P.,
Traverso, M. and Claßen, M., 2023. Comparative
Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint of a CFRP-Grid
Reinforced Concrete Façade Panel. Sustainability,
15(15), p.11548.
Bazli, M., Jafari, A., Ashrafi, H., Zhao, X.L., Bai, Y. and
Raman, R.S., 2020. Effects of UV radiation, moisture
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
212
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
and elevated temperature on mechanical properties of
GFRP pultruded profiles. Construction and Building
Materials, 231, p.117137.
Bell, M., Ament, R., Fick, D. and Huijser, M., 2022.
Improving Connectivity: Innovative Fiber-Reinforced
Polymer Structures for Wildlife, Bicyclists, and/or
Pedestrians. Nevada Department of Transportation.
Bencardino, F. and Cascardi, A., 2024. Revitalizing an
Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridge: Deficiencies,
Repair Techniques and the Role of FRPs. Procedia
Structural Integrity, 62, pp.972-982.
Benzecry, V., 2020. Towards Resilient Concrete
Structures
with
FRP
Reinforcement
(Doctoral
dissertation, University of Miami).
Bialas, C., Bechtsis, D., Aivazidou, E., Achillas, C. and
Aidonis, D., 2023. A holistic view on the adoption and
cost-effectiveness of technology-driven supply chain
management practices in healthcare. Sustainability,
15(6), p.5541.
Borrie, D., Al-Saadi, S., Zhao, X.L., Raman, R.S. and Bai,
Y., 2021. Bonded CFRP/steel systems, remedies of bond
degradation and behaviour of CFRP repaired steel: An
overview. Polymers, 13(9), p.1533.
Cadenazzi, T., Keles, B., Rahman, M.K. and Nanni, A.,
2022. Life-cycle cost and life-cycle assessment of a
monumental fiber-reinforced polymer reinforced
concrete structure. Journal of Construction Engineering
and Management, 148(9), p.05022007.
Cadenazzi, T., Nolan, S., Mazzocchi, G., Stringer, Z. and
Nanni, A., 2020. Bridge case study: what a contractor
needs to know on an FRP reinforcement project.
Journal of Composites for Construction, 24(2),
p.05020001.
Changala, K., 2024. Effects of planning on the successful
implementation of feeder road projects in Zambia
(Doctoral dissertation, The University of Zambia).
Chauhan, V., Kärki, T. and Varis, J., 2022. Review of
natural
fibre-reinforced
engineering
plastic
composites, their applications in the transportation
sector and processing techniques. Journal of
Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 35(8), pp.1169-
1209.
Custódio, J. and Cabral-Fonseca, S., 2023. Advanced
fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for the
rehabilitation of timber and concrete structures:
assessing strength and durability. In Advanced fibre-
reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for structural
applications (pp. 725-809). Woodhead Publishing.
De Fazio, D., Boccarusso, L., Formisano, A., Viscusi, A.
and Durante, M., 2023. A review of the recycling
technologies of fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials
used in industrial fields. Journal of Marine Science and
Engineering, 11(4), p.851.
Elangovan, N. and Sundaravel, E., 2021. Method of
preparing a document for survey instrument validation
by experts. MethodsX, 8, p.101326.
Ghobadi, M. and Sepasgozar, S.M., 2023. Circular
economy strategies in modern timber construction as a
potential response to climate change. Journal of
Building Engineering, p.107229.
Giussani, P., D’Occhio, A., Mazzucchelli, E.S. and Rigone,
P., 2024, June. Innovative Building Envelopes with
Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials: State of Art and
Possible Integrations into Ventilated Façade Systems. In
International Conference of Ar. Tec. (Scientific Society
of Architectural Engineering) (pp. 358-374). Cham:
Springer Nature Switzerland.
Gkournelos, P.D., Triantafillou, T.C. and Bournas, D.A.,
2021. Seismic upgrading of existing reinforced concrete
buildings: A state-of-the-art review. Engineering
Structures, 240, p.112273.
Harle, S.M., 2024, February. Durability and long-term
performance of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP)
composites: A review. In Structures (Vol. 60, p. 105881).
Elsevier.
Hassan, A., Woloszyk, K. and Krata, P., 2024. FRP-based
reinforcement coatings of steel with application
prospects in ships and offshore structures: a review.
Ships and Offshore Structures, pp.1-15.
Işildar, G.Y., Morsali, S. and Zar Gari, Z.H., 2020. A
comparison LCA of the common steel rebars and FRP.
Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 5(1),
p.8.
Jayan, J.S., Appukuttan, S., Wilson, R., Joseph, K.,
George, G. and Oksman, K., 2021. An introduction to
fibre-reinforced composite materials. In Fiber
reinforced
composites
(pp.
1-24).
Woodhead
Publishing.
Ji, X.L., Chen, L.J., Liang, K., Pan, W. and Su, R.K.L., 2023.
A review on FRP bars and supplementary cementitious
materials for the next generation of sustainable and
durable construction materials. Construction and
Building Materials, 383, p.131403.
Johnson, L. and Toledano, P., 2022. Investment
incentives: A survey of policies and approaches for
sustainable
investment.
Columbia
Center
on
Sustainable Investment, October.
Karim, M.A., Abdullah, M.Z., Deifalla, A.F., Azab, M. and
Waqar, A., 2023. An assessment of the processing
parameters and application of fibre-reinforced
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
213
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
polymers (FRPs) in the petroleum and natural gas
industries: A review. Results in Engineering, 18,
p.101091.
Khoa, B.T., Hung, B.P. and Hejsalem-Brahmi, M., 2023.
Qualitative research in social sciences: data collection,
data analysis and report writing. International Journal
of Public Sector Performance Management, 12(1-2),
pp.187-209.
Khodadadi, N., Roghani, H., Harati, E., Mirdarsoltany,
M., De Caso, F. and Nanni, A., 2024. Fiber-reinforced
polymer (FRP) in concrete: A comprehensive survey.
Construction and Building Materials, 432, p.136634.
Li, W., Shumuye, E.D., Shiying, T., Wang, Z. and Zerfu,
K., 2022. Eco-friendly fibre reinforced geopolymer
concrete: A critical review on the microstructure and
long-term durability properties. Case Studies in
Construction Materials, 16, p.e00894.
Liu, G., Hua, J., Wang, N., Deng, W. and Xue, X., 2022.
Material Alternatives for Concrete Structures on
Remote Islands: Based on Life‐Cycle‐Cost Analysis.
Advances in Civil Engineering, 2022(1), p.7329408.
Luo, T., Xue, X., Tan, Y., Wang, Y. and Zhang, Y., 2021.
Exploring a div of knowledge for promoting the
sustainable transition to prefabricated construction.
Engineering,
Construction
and
Architectural
Management, 28(9), pp.2637-2666.
Maksimovic, J. and Evtimov, J., 2023. Positivism and
post-positivism as the basis of quantitative research in
pedagogy. Research in Pedagogy, 13(1), pp.208-218.
Meacham, B.J., 2022. Fire performance and regulatory
considerations with modern methods of construction.
Buildings & Cities, 3(1).
Mian, S.H., Salah, B., Ameen, W., Moiduddin, K. and
Alkhalefah, H., 2020. Adapting universities for
sustainability education in industry 4.0: Channel of
challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 12(15),
p.6100.
Mishra, P., Rajak, F. and Kumar, R., 2024. Need for EPDs
in Indian High-Rise Constructions for Reduced
Greenwashing and Sustainable Future with Green
Polymer and Composites. Journal of Polymer &
Composites, 12, p.2.
Moodley, H., Afshan, S., Baliney, S. and Preston, J.,
2022. State-of-the-art review on the structural
behaviour of stainless steel reinforced concrete
elements. Bridge Safety, Maintenance, Management,
Life-Cycle, Resilience and Sustainability, pp.2345-2353.
Navaratnam, S., Selvaranjan, K., Jayasooriya, D., Rajeev,
P. and Sanjayan, J., 2023. Applications of natural and
synthetic fibre reinforced polymer in infrastructure: A
suitability assessment. Journal of Building Engineering,
66, p.105835.
Ndeutapo, S., 2022. An economic evaluation on FRP for
bridge construction in South African coastal areas.
Nwokediegwu, Z.Q.S., Ilojianya, V.I., Ibekwe, K.I.,
Adefemi, A., Etukudoh, E.A. and Umoh, A.A., 2024.
Advanced materials for sustainable construction: A
review of innovations and environmental benefits.
Engineering Science & Technology Journal, 5(1),
pp.201-218.
Ortiz, J.D., Khedmatgozar Dolati, S.S., Malla, P., Nanni,
A. and Mehrabi, A., 2023. FRP-reinforced/strengthened
concrete: State-of-the-art review on durability and
mechanical effects. Materials, 16(5), p.1990.
Preinstorfer, P., Huber, T., Reichenbach, S., Lees, J.M.
and Kromoser, B., 2022. Parametric design studies of
mass-related
global
warming
potential
and
construction costs of FRP-reinforced concrete
infrastructure. Polymers, 14(12), p.2383.
Purchase, C.K., Al Zulayq, D.M., O’Brien, B.T.,
Kowalewski, M.J., Berenjian, A., Tarighaleslami, A.H.
and Seifan, M., 2021. Circular economy of construction
and demolition waste: A literature review on lessons,
challenges, and benefits. Materials, 15(1), p.76.
Rajak, D.K., Wagh, P.H. and Linul, E., 2021.
Manufacturing technologies of carbon/glass fibre-
reinforced polymer composites and their properties: A
review. Polymers, 13(21), p.3721.
Ribeiro, F., Correia, L. and Sena-Cruz, J., 2024.
Hybridization in FRP Composites for Construction:
State-of-the-Art Review and Trends. Journal of
Composites for Construction, 28(4), p.04024024.
Rubino, F., Nisticò, A., Tucci, F. and Carlone, P., 2020.
Marine application of fibre reinforced composites: a
review. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering,
8(1), p.26.
Saadeh, M. and Irshidat, M.R., 2024. Recent advances
in concrete-filled fibre-reinforced polymer tubes: a
systematic review and future directions. Innovative
Infrastructure Solutions, 9(11), p.406.
Salemi, M., 2020. Corrosion protection and repair of
steel components using inorganic coating and carbon
fibre reinforced polymer and fatigue life prediction of
pipeline (Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers The State
University of New Jersey, School of Graduate Studies).
Sbahieh, S., Rabie, M., Ebead, U. and Al-Ghamdi, S.G.,
2022. The mechanical and environmental performance
of fibre-reinforced polymers in concrete structures:
Opportunities, challenges and future directions.
Buildings, 12(9), p.1417.
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
214
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet
The American Journal of Engineering and Technology
Siddika, A., Al Mamun, M.A., Ferdous, W. and Alyousef,
R., 2020. Performances, challenges and opportunities in
strengthening reinforced concrete structures by using
FRPs
–
A state-of-the-art review. Engineering Failure
Analysis, 111, p.104480.
Taherdoost, H., 2021. Data collection methods and
tools for research; a step-by-step guide to choosing
data collection techniques for academic and business
research projects. International Journal of Academic
Research in Management (IJARM), 10(1), pp.10-38.
Valatin, G., Ovando, P., Abildtrup, J., Accastello, C.,
Andreucci, M.B., Chikalanov, A., El Mokaddem, A.,
Garcia, S., Gonzalez-Sanchis, M., Gordillo, F. and
Kayacan, B., 2022. Approaches to cost-effectiveness of
payments for tree planting and forest management for
water quality services. Ecosystem Services, 53,
p.101373.
Wang, B. and Gao, H., 2021. Fibre-reinforced polymer
composites. In Advances in Machining of Composite
Materials:
Conventional
and
Non-conventional
Processes (pp. 15-43). Cham: Springer International
Publishing.
Yan, L., Deng, W., Wang, N., Xue, X., Hua, J. and Chen,
Z., 2022. Anti-corrosion reinforcements using coating
technologies
—
A review. Polymers, 14(21), p.4782.
Zhang, W. and Xu, J., 2022. Advanced lightweight
materials for Automobiles: A review. Materials &
Design, 221, p.110994.
Zhang, X., Liu, X., He, M., Chen, L. and Zhao, D., 2024.
Strength optimization of the transverse retrofitting
device for seismically isolated bridge based on seismic
repair cost ratio. Engineering Structures, 317,
p.118645.
Ziraoui, A., Kissi, B. and Aaya, H., 2024. Probabilistic
analysis of FRP efficacy in seismic risk reduction. Forces
in Mechanics, 15, p.100259.
