September Tucson Chapter Lunch Meeting
Innovative FRP Products for Structural & Architectural Applications
By: Mo Ehsani, Ph.D., P.E., S.E.
By now, most engineers are familiar with the original concept of repair and retrofit of structures with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) products. In that technique known as “wet layup”, fabrics of glass or carbon are saturated with epoxy and they are bonded to the surface of the structure; by the next day the materials become 2-3 times stronger than steel.
This presentation focuses on some new advances & products in this field that offer unique solutions to many structural engineering/architectural challenges. The topics presented will include:
- 1. FRP Laminates for repair of piles and columns --- Note that an article appearing in the September 2016 issue of the Structure Magazine will discuss this product where we have used this technology to repair more than 50 cell phone towers nationwide.
- 2. Sandwich Construction --- This new type of product which was awarded the 2016 ASCE Innovation Award, allows construction of very light but rigid structures such as walls, pipes, etc. Architects and engineers can design beautiful inexpensive curved structures for such applications as: shades, canopies, bust stops, acoustic panels, architectural false ceilings, etc.
Biographical Sketch for Dr. Mo Ehsani
Dr. Ehsani received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan before joining the department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona in 1982. He pioneered the field of repair and retrofit of civil structures with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials and has published these findings in numerous professional journals such as ACI, ASCE, Earthquake Spectra, etc.
Dr. Ehsani is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (FASCE) and the American Concrete Institute (FACI). He has served as President of the Structural Engineers Association of Arizona and he is a registered professional engineer in several states.
Professor Ehsani has been featured on major media such as CNN, National Public Radio, the History Channel, and Engineering News Record for his expertise on strengthening of structures, particularly related to earthquakes, terrorist attacks and other potential structural disasters. He has invented numerous FRP systems and received the 2014 Arizona Technology Leader of The Year Award.
In 2010, Dr. Ehsani left the University of Arizona as a Professor Emeritus to devote his full attention to QuakeWrap, Inc., a company he had founded in 1994 that specializes in repair and retrofit of structures with FRP. The company offers turnkey design/build solutions to its international clients. Numerous award-winning projects and creative solutions/products developed to address the clients’ needs attest to the unique capabilities of this company.
In September 2014, QuakeWrap was inducted into the U.S. Congressional Records as “…a small business that has grown by being a leader in state-of-the-art technology and by embracing exporting as key to its growth strategy.”
Menu:
Chicken Teriyaki with fried rice and a garden salad, served with a mini egg roll. Cookies and bars for dessert. Water or iced tea.
Should you have any special dietary needs, please contact Ali Nessaee at Alvandengineers@gmail.com to coordinate.
