Bringing FRP Design into Engineering Lecture Halls

SAM_0983wpIn late September, Stephen Browning, P.E. (Structural Engineer-Bristol) was invited by Nancy Roberts, P.E. to speak in the John D. Tickle Engineering Building with a group of engineering students from the University of Tennessee. Stephen’s presentation compared the performance of FRP against traditional construction products from a design load vs. design strength perspective. On most days, these students will test an assortment of traditional materials within their state-of-the-art labs. Concrete beams are subjected to bending, while wood specimens are usually tested for compression and bending.  Students also build scaled structural steel bridges to measure observed strains vs. theoretical strains.SAM_0982wp

As the world’s leader in pultrusion, Strongwell believes that through the collective educational outreach by composites manufacturers, engineers, fabricators, architects and designers will be able to gain insight and opportunities to test, compare and ultimately incorporate FRP within conventional construction projects.

Strongwell would like to extend thanks to staff, students and Nancy Roberts, P.E. (Teaching Associate, College of Engineering) for coordinating and taking the time to invite and host Strongwell.