State of the Practice Review in FRP Composite Piling

There are considerable problems associated with the use of traditional piling materials in corrosive soils and marine environments. The durability of concrete, corrosion of steel, and vulnerability of timber piles to marine borers are serious hindrances to construction in these environments. In the case of timber marine piling, the toxic chemicals used in their treatment, such as creosote, pose a threat to marine life. Creosote-treated timber is also a growing environmental disposal problem. Composite materials such as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) can offer performance advantages when compared to steel, concrete, or timber. Composites can be designed to perform according to the required specifications for piling in adverse environments. However, composites face obstacles because they do not have a long track record of use in civil engineering structures. A comprehensive review of the American experience in research, testing, design, and practice of composite piles is presented in this paper. The technical and economical viability of composite piles is discussed. Emphasis is given to material properties, durability, drivability, and soil-pile interaction.