A Review on Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Material Property

and its Applications.

Arvind B. Bodhe1, Abhilash Shahu2, Tushar Welturkar3, Vaibhav Tihile4,

Vikky Thute5
1
Associate Professor, Nagpur Institute of Technology, Nagpur.
2-5
Students of Mech Dept., Nagpur Institute of Technology, Nagpur.

abbodhe@nit.edu.in, bodhe2013@gmail.com,vaibhav.tihile777@gmail.com.

Abstract
The use of renewable energy resources is the needs of the hour. The solar power is
playing an important role to overcome energy crises. The traditional ways for fabricating
structure for supporting and fixing the solar panel is replaced by using of fiber reinforced
plastic (FRC) The properties such as low weight, low cost, high strength to weight ratio
and easy fabrication play easiness to replace the traditional materials to FRC. This
Paper presents a review of the material property, design approach for solar panel support
structure and various applications of FRC material. It also finds the performance in
construction and cost-effectiveness.

Keywords: FRP Composite, Material Properties, FRP Application, Structure

Installation.

1. Introduction
Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) also called as Fiber Reinforced Polymer. It is an
extremely adaptable material. FRP is a composite material made of a polymer matrix
reinforced with fiber. The fiber is usually glass, carbon, although other fiber such as
paper or wood [1]. As Epoxy, vinyl ester or polyester thermosetting plastic are the
polymers used in FRC. FRP products were first used to reinforced concrete structure
in the mid-1950s. It is widely used in automobile, aerospace, shipbuilding and
construction industry. The composite materials are made from two or more
constituent material having different physical or chemical properties. When, it
combines to produce a material, which has characteristics different from the
individual components. Commercial material commonly has glass or carbon fiber in
matrices based on thermosetting polymers, such as epoxy or polyester resins [2].
As FRP is a composite which can be used in most of the engineering structure as
it has an advantage of light weight and higher strength there usages ranging from
aircraft, ship, helicopter, spacecraft, sports goods, boats, chemical processing
equipment and civil infrastructures like building and bridges. This material have
more potential to use in handling the cotton in ginning factories [11].The interest in
FRP is growing day by day at a very impressive rate as these materials are used
more in the existing markets.
FRP is being considered as an alternative material for the infrastructure
components that can replace traditional civil engineering material, namely steel, and
concrete. Fiber Reinforced Plastic is non-corrosive, lightweight, high strength,
longer lasting and can display high specific strength and specific stiffness. Because
of these characteristics, FRP can be included in the new construction such as
framework, bridge, modular structure, etc. The fibers and resins used in FRP are
relatively expansive as compared to other traditional strengthening material such as
concrete and steel. FRP system can also be used in the area where traditional
techniques would be difficult to implement. Moreover, their cost, whether
considered per unit weight or on the basis of force carrying capacity, is high in
comparison to conventional steel reinforced bars or tendons. The most serious
problem in FRP for the structure point of view that FRP reinforcements are lack of
plastic behavior and the very low shear strength in the transverse direction.

2. Literature Review
Sanjeev Gill et al. presented the study of commercially available FRC and their
applications in various areas. The types of fibers classified by shapes and fiber
filament were discussed. The utility of types fibers like Carbon fibers, Amid fibers,
Glass fibers, Matrices, Epoxy resin and Polyester resins were highlighted [3].
Xu Jiang et.al. discussed the flexural property of GFRP find out by three point
bending tests were employed. The durability of FRP composite and adhesive
property find out by Hydro-mechanical FE analysis. The work on the flexural
strength of moisture saturated GFRP laminates were carried out. The environment-
dependent flexural properties of FRP were calculated by least square method for
curve fitting [4]
Sun-Hee Kim et.al, conducted the finite element (FE) analyses using the (MIDAS
Civil 2012) for design an analysis. The material costs of structural system fabricated
with different material. This paper also discussed the process for large scale floating
construction and composition of unit structure and carried out the comparative
analysis with mild steel and aluminum material [5].
Ephraim M.E. et. al. presented the mechanical performance properties of glass
fibre reinforced plastic GFRP. The resin used in this research was recovered from
recycled plastic waste. The samples were taken in the range of weight from 35 to
50% glass fiber while the thicknesses of the laminate were 10 mm, 12 mm and 16
mm. The various mechanical tests conducted at room temperature. The results
obtained in this study were similar to the experimental data with of GFRP based on
virgin resin for structural uses [6].
Ambar Nigam et.al. presented a review of current status of composite material. It
also discussed the technology and listed various applications of composite material.
The classification of composite material like Metal Matrix Composites , Polymer
Matrix Composites, Ceramic Metal Composites , Particulate Composites, and
Laminated Composites was discussed [7].
John P. Busel et. al. Discussed the general historical information and use of FRP.
It is elaborated recommendations of the committee on the engineering, construction,
and inspection of FRP systems. The proposed guidelines were based on the
knowledge gained from worldwide experimental research, analytical work, and field
applications of FRP systems used to strengthen concrete structures [7].
Young Geun et.al. investigated, developed and installed the floating type
photovoltaic power e generating system. The floating type power generating system
was developed on the basis of properties got during various tastings on FRC [8].
R.S. Som et. al. worked on several approaches of design for supporting the Solar
panel. They analyzed the load calculation model using ANSA as preprocessor and
ANSYS-CFX as solver. The findings of the critical points on structure in experiment
noted and it redesigned in order to increase the endurance [9].
A.O. Nwabuzor evaluated the feasibility of designing and incorporating a cure on
demand system. For curing of composite laminates, The resin infusion between
double flexible tooling (RIDFT) process was conducted. Mechanical and rheological
tests were performed on each of the UV cured laminates produced. The results were
referenced against those obtained for laminates produced using a catalyst curing
system to determine their overall quality. Experimental results from the tensile and
rheological tests inferred that the UV cured laminates yielded material properties
that were comparable and in a few instances slightly better than that of thermally
cured [10].
A. Mihailidis et. al. discussed the use of FRP systems for strengthening concrete
structures. It worked as an alternative to traditional strengthening techniques. The
followings techniques like steel plate bonding, section enlargement and external
post-tensioning can be replaced by FRC. FRP systems used FRP composite
materials. It was as supplemental externally bonded reinforcement. Following
advantages got over the traditional system which was used to strengthen concert
structure. They are lighter in weight. It has easy way for fixing. It has very less
reactive for moisture relatively easy to install, and are noncorrosive [12].
3. Conclusion
The various research papers regarding Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) studied and put
the review of the best matching papers. It observed that FRC play very prominent role
towards supporting the strengthening the structure by supporting main structure of
replacing it. The various types of FRC may use for different types of works. The
mechanical properties of FRC show that the traditional material may be replacing by it. It
concludes that in this modern era of technology where compactness, less weight, easy
workability and economic is main factor and FRC may play important role in design and
fabrications. The structure FRC may use for fixing the solar panel.

4. Future Scope
Where the composite material may replace traditional material due to its weight
saving property and economic cost due to which most of the industries work with
composite material. FRP material will be widely used in aerospace, marine, civil,
automobile, sports, chemical Industries, etc. Because of best construction capability
and also resist the vibrations and absorb the shock. It may be use as supporting
structure for the solar panel, Small tower, Furniture, machine frames, etc.

5. References

5.1. Journal Article

[1] Praveen Kaur, Mohit Talwar , “Different Types of Fibres Used in FRC ” , International Journal of
Advanced Research in Computer Science., vol. 8, no. 4, (2017), pp. 380-384.
[2] Mohammad A Torabizadeh,“Tensile, compressive and shear properties of unidirectional glass/epoxy
composites subjected to mechanical loading and low temperature services”, Indian Journal of
Engineering & Materials Sciences, vol. 20, August 2013, pp. 299-309.
[3] Sanjeev Gil, Er. L.D.Singal, “ To study and use of F.R.P. Materials in R.C structure”, International
Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology, vol.5,issue 1,2016, pp. 123-125.
[4] Xu Jiang, “Jie Song, Moisture absorption/desorption Effects on flexural properties of Glass fiber
reinforced polymer laminates”, Polymer, vol. 8,290, 2016, pp.1-15.
[5] Sun-Hee Kim, Soon-Jong Yoon, and Wonchang Choi, “Design and Construction of 1 MW Class
Floating PV Generation Structural System Using FRP Members”, Energies, vol. 10, 1142, pp. 1-14
[6] Ephraim M.E. and Adetiloye A, “Mechanical Properties of Glass Reinforced Polymer Based on Resin
from Recycled Plastic” , International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, vol. 6, Issue 3,
March-2015, pp.145-152.
[7] Ambar Nigam, Deepak Pande, “Resent Application and Future Scope of Composite Material”, IJSRD,
Vol 4 Issue 4, 2016, pp.134-138.
[8] Young-Geun Lee, Hyung-Joong Joo, “Design and Installation of Floating Type PV Energy Generation
System Using FRP Member”, Solar Energy, 108, 2014, pp.13-27.
[9] R.S.Som, Rishab Sharma, Harshit Tripathi,” Stability and Stress Analysis of Solar Array
Structure”,IJATES, vol 4, Issue No. 02, 2016, pp.111-115.
[10] A.O. Nwabuzor, “ Development of the RIDFT Process Incorporation of Ultraviolet Curing Technique”,

Plastics Rubber and Composites,vol. 41(6), July 2012, pp. 247-255 ·

[11] Arvind B. Bodhe, J F. Agrawal, “Formulation and Comparison of Experimental based Mathematical
Model with Artificial Neural Network Simulation Model for Optimal Performance of Cotton Pre-
Cleaning Machine”, International Journal for Innovative Research in Science & Technology, vol. 2,
Issue 08, January2016, pp 23-27.

5.2. Conference Proceedings

[12] A. Mihailidis , K.Panagiotidis, “Analysis of Solar Panel Support Structures”, 3 rd ANSA and Eta
International Conference, Olympic Convention centre, Halkidiki, (2009), pp. 9-11.