TG ID
TG4
Name
Digitalization of FRPs
Subject
The Digitalization of FRPs Task Group aims to advance the integration of digital technologies in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials for construction and infrastructure. The group focuses on developing and implementing intelligent sensing, monitoring, and digital interfaces to enhance the performance, safety, and sustainability of FRP applications.
Overview
The Digitalization of FRPs Task Group (TG) within the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) was established to integrate advanced digital technologies into Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) applications in construction and infrastructure. The TG leverages intelligent sensing, monitoring technologies, and digital interfaces to enhance performance, safety, and sustainability in response to the growing demand for data-driven solutions in civil engineering.
The TG focuses on digital integration in FRP applications, covering intelligent sensing and monitoring, user-friendly digital platforms, and sustainability performance enhancement. Its scope includes safety improvement, sustainability, data-driven decision-making, industry standards integration, collaboration with industry partners, and education and knowledge dissemination.
Objectives
TG4 aim to achieve the following:
- Smart Monitoring & Sensing: Incorporating fiber optic sensors and IoT-based systems to enable real-time structural health monitoring of FRP-strengthened and FRP-based structures.
- Digital Twin Development: Leveraging AI, machine learning, and data analytics to create predictive models for FRP performance, enabling proactive maintenance and lifecycle optimization.
- Advanced Material Integration: Exploring innovations in FRP manufacturing and deployment through digital fabrication, automation, and AI-assisted design.
- Industry & Research Collaboration: Bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers to promote standardization, best practices, and digital adoption in FRP applications.
- Sustainability & Resilience: Utilizing digital tools to assess the environmental impact of FRPs, supporting net-zero and circular economy goals in infrastructure development.
Program/Tasks and Timetable
TG4 will implement the following activities within an organized timeline to ensure consistent progress and impact:
- Regular Member Meetings: Held every two months to share updates and collaborate.
This will happen throughout the year. Meeting date and time will be circulated via email. - IIFC Webinar: Held annually to disseminate knowledge and showcase advancements.
This will happen throughout the year depending on the availability of the speakers. - Invited Talks: twice a year to feature expert insights on sustainable FRP solutions.
This will happen in September and March every year, can be made as IIFC webinars as well. - Special Sessions: at key conferences such as CICE and FRPRCS for discussions.
This will happen with the conference time. - Publication Repository: update with open-access publications on FRP sustainability.
This is an ongoing initiative and the repository will be updated in real time. - Funding Applications: Developed for initiatives like the Horizon funding schemes etc.
- Annual Report: Prepared yearly to summarize TG2 activities and progress.
This will happen at the end of each year.
The TG 4 will focus on:
- Task 1: Development of Intelligent Sensing and Monitoring Systems.
- Task 2: Design of Digital Interface for Data Accessibility.
- Task 3: Optimizing the Sustainability of FRP Materials Through Digital Tools.
- Task 4: Collaborating with Industry Partners to Integrate Digital FRP Solutions.
Expected deliverables
The following deliverables are expected:
- Publication repository related to TG topic
- Publications in IIFC newsletter and IIFC supported journals
- IIFC webinars
- Membership
- Annual report
- Industry Outreach: Increasing awareness and collaborative engagements with industry partners through webinars, news articles, and case studies.
- Digital Presence: updates through social media, project websites, and public-facing blog posts.
Team
Chair: Dr. Dimitra Achillopoulou (Dimitra.achillopoulou@glasgow.ac.uk), Lecturer, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, UK
Co-Chair: Dr. Amr Alnemr (amr.elnemr@guc.edu.eg), Associate Professor, German University in Cairo, Egypt
