The Center has a primary focus on composite materials that may be used to strengthen or reinforce precast concrete structures such as bridge columns, freeway overpass beams, concrete walls and other structural components. The basic technology utilizes fiber-reinforced polymers woven into industrial fabrics that can be used to wrap structures or be imbedded in precast concrete designs.

The Center develops design guidelines and specifications for the strengthening of columns and seismic retrofit of bridge caps and joints with FRP composites.

Composites in Construction 98-99

Highlights

• More than 70 columns of I-80 bridges were retrofitted with the
  composite wraps.
• In addition, the State Street bridge on I-80 received a seismic retrofit using FRP composites.
• 1 patent issued - Interconnection of building panels using fiber reinforced plastic composite material connector plates
• 2 patents pending

Spin Out Companies

Benefiting Companies

• Thiokol
• Waterpoint
• Monroc, Inc (Eagle Precast Co.)
• EDO Fiber Science
• Sika
• Hydrotech
• Gerber Construction

Center's University Website and Contact Information