ACI FRP Composites Competition

Registration closed.

Objectives

These are the challenges in this competition:

    • Design, construct, and test a concrete structure reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement to achieve the lowest cost-load ratio. Cost is defined as the calculated batch cost for concrete materials and chemical admixtures plus the cost of the FRP used to reinforce the structure, adjusted for forming costs for more complicated geometries and reduced by credits given for implementation of sustainable design concepts.
    • Submit a presentation on the specimen design and calculations indicating the theoretical type of failure and load. Calculations may be made using Chapter 22 Sectional Strength of the ACI CODE-440.11-22: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars, which will be provided by ACI to each student team or made using other calculation methods.
    • Predict the ultimate load, which may differ from calculated values. Differences in your predicted load from your calculated load must be justified or explained in your presentation.
    • Comply with the contest rules and associated dates.
    • Each team must complete and submit the Advance Registration, upload FRP Kit order form, upload your school's Letter of Verification—no later than September 15, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST.
    • Each team must also submit the Official Mix and Cost Form, a diagram showing placement and dimensions of all FRP reinforcing materials, and the presentation in pdf format by October 6, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST.
    • The competition will be held in conjunction with The Concrete Convention in Boston, MA on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the following manner:

    • First, Second, and Third Prizes will be awarded using the evaluation process defined in Paragraph 5. First Prize will be awarded $750, with $500 for Second Prize and $250 for Third Prize.
    • First-, second-, and third-place entries will also be awarded a certificate of recognition, recognition on ACI's website, and will be recognized in Concrete International magazine if space allows.

 

Rules

For a PDF version of the FRP Composities Competition official rules, click here.