Environmental impact and embodied energy

Recent reports from the industry suggest that FRP has been the most cost effective solution at “first installed” cost in a few recent structures. Even if the “first installed’ cost of FRP solutions in not favourable compared to equivalent concrete/steel structures the life cycle cost and life cycle assessment analyses could be used to demonstrate cost and sustainability benefits of FRP structures. For instance, FRP bridge decks have advantages, such as controlled off-site fabrication, high strength, highfatigue and corrosion resistance, light weight, easy transportation, faster on-site assembly, minimisation of traffic disturbances,etc.; these could be used to off-set the initial cost, and to exploit the sustainable solutions offered by FRP materials.