Environmental Impact of Steel and Fiber–Reinforced Polymer Reinforced Pavements

Abstract

The environmental load of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced pavement was compared with that of steel reinforced pavement. Replacing steel rebars with FRP rebars can lead to changes in the concrete mix and pavement structure at the erection stage, to a reduced need for maintenance activities related to steel corrosion, and to different recycling opportunities at the disposal stage. The current study examined all of these variables. The environmental load of FRP reinforced pavement was found to be significantly lower than that of steel reinforced pavement. This results mainly from the fact that FRP reinforced pavement requires less maintenance, its cement content and concrete cover over reinforcement can be reduced, and the reinforcement itself generates a smaller environmental load.