Applications of FRP Projects in Egypt

Advanced Composite Materials, (ACM), have been used in civil engineering applications in Egypt over the last two decades. Significant progress has been made in the use of ACM in the form of fibre reinforced polymers, (FRP), to repair, rehabilitate and upgrade aging or damaged structures. Egypt has released its national code for design and application of FRP in construction fields addressing both externally bonded and internal FRP reinforcement in concrete elements. As a result, the use of FRP for repair, strengthening and retrofitting of structures have become a very well accepted practice in Egypt. The code has been issued after a series of successful rehabilitation projects and extensive studies at different research institutions in Egypt.

This paper highlights the Egyptian FRP code, which was approved by the Egyptian Authorities in December 2005 and became the first formalized design code addressing FRP in Egypt. In addition, field applications of FRP strengthening of special structures in Egypt are also presented. The paper presents selected projects utilizing ACM in the form of externally bonded FRP laminates to strengthen existing reinforced concrete structures. Historical buildings such as the Egyptian Museum and Kaitbay Fence were rehabilitated after distress/deterioration caused by corrosion of steel reinforcement and lack of maintenance. Strengthening of the dolphin piles in Abou-Kier harbour is also reported after cracking occurred due to ship hit. Design concepts and constructional details are presented for each project.