ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FIBRE-REINFORCED POLYMER STRENGTHENING SOLUTIONS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

Abstract

The construction sector is considered by many as one of the key factors in fulfilling the three dimensions of sustainability. Notwithstanding its indisputable influence over economy and society at large, the statement above is most importantly justified by the massive impact the construction industry exerts over the environment. Strengthening existing reinforced concrete structures with composites and reusing them instead of building new ones is one of the ways by which the impact of the built environment over the natural one can be successfully decreased. This paper aims at determining if the extension of the life span of the reinforced concrete columns by applying different carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening systems can be considered a viable solution in terms of the ecological dimension of sustainability. The results obtained after conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies encourage the usage of the composite systems hereby analysed in the context of achieving the environmental aspect of sustainability in the construction sector.

Keywords

• CFRP
• construction sector
• LCA
• reinforced concrete columns
• sustainability