Resource-efficient design of concrete slabs with prestressed CFRP

Research Project, 2025 – 2030

Overview

This research proposal addresses the environmental impact of concrete in construction, particularly through the development of resource-efficient concrete floor slabs that incorporate the high-strength materials Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) and low-clinker High Strength Concrete (HSC). As floor slabs account for a significant portion of a building’s embodied carbon, the project aims to reduce the environmental footprint of these elements by creating thin-walled, durable structures using prestressed CFRP tendons.

Research Objectives

The project outlines four primary objectives to develop a durable and sustainable floor slab solution:

Material interaction: Characterize bond behaviour between CFRP tendons and HSC to determine the required anchorage length.

Long-term performance: Quantify long-term losses in CFRP prestressed concrete elements to estimate the effect of shrinkage and creep on deformation.

Deformation Capacity: Optimize for controlled failure response by integrating fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and ductile connectors.

Environmental and Structural Performance: Establish a comparison of the environmental footprint and structural efficiency of CFRP-prestressed slabs compared to traditional alternatives.

Expected Outcomes

With a focus on resource-efficient design, the anticipated outcomes of this project include a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of prestressed CFRP tendons in concrete and effective design strategies for CFRP-HSC composite structures. The knowledge gained in this project will lead to competitive, versatile and durable floor slab solutions that minimize material use and reduce CO2 emissions.