A STUDY ON FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER (FRP) ROOF FORMS

Abstract

In recent times the use of composite materials for construction is gaining popularity specially Fiber Reinforced Polymer composites as a building material. Buildings have been made from the same small selection of materials for the last ioo years - most commonly masonry, timber, steel and concrete. However composites are emerging with an increasing role in building materials. In both new construction projects and renovation work, design professionals are continuing to discover. the advantages of plastic composite building products, including durability, light weight, corrosion resistance, high strength, and low maintenance requirements. This dissertation work presents the basic concepts of the Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) as a building material and then in later sections various roof forms (Dome, Vault, Hyperbolic Paraboloid, Flat) with varying span and rise configurations are analyzed w.r.t. structural strength and cost. The constituents and properties of FRP have been described in simple language. Various advantages of FRP are identified. There are a few disadvantages with FRP, but with proper construction technology, constituents and a few additives these problems can be rectified to a great extent. Construction technology, joints, details and various construction practices are studied, knowledge gained by which is strengthened by chosen case studies from India as well as around the world. The analysis of various roof forms is based upon FRP single skin Shell construction. A computer code developed in FORTRAN 90 language has been used for the complex mathematical formulation for the analysis of laminated single skin FRP shells. Design of various roof forms are carried out with the help of this program. Further cost calculations are done, rates being based upon market trends and CPWD zoio Delhi zone rate list.Detailed design of two sample structures is carried out in FRP and RCC to compare strength as well cost followed by comparative cost analysis with'steel.