About the project


    Context

    Fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) are advanced materials that combine different kinds of polymers with various fibers such as glass, carbon, aramid, etc., resulting in stronger and more flexible properties.
    Construction is the main consumer of FRP, and its use is increasing. The advantages of FRP over traditional building materials are lighter weight, excellent resistance to corrosion and rot resistance, higher durability, lower life cycle costs, lower CO2 emissions and design freedom. The need to achieve the most durable and lightweight structures possible has increased the commitment in the construction industry. Few professionals and companies have the necessary knowledge about FPR. In Europe, there is a shortage of specialized construction professionals with the appropriate knowledge of FPR. There is a need for the whole value chain to know the usability and workability of FRP.

    Aims

    The TAB4BUILDING project aims to develop a common training for architects/civil engineers and construction workers, enabling them to increase their skills in the knowledge and application of FRP in the construction sector.

    Impact

    The project will connect the entire value chain of the construction sector. Instead of focusing only on the top of the scale (architects), the training will also target construction workers and update the knowledge of FRP materials for the whole value chain. Moreover, an innovative methodology will be applied based on the collaboration between both target groups with different levels of knowledge, where both will learn everything necessary to understand the main features of the FRP materials and at the end will work together to achieve the main objective through a case study. They will interact and be able to understand each other to solve a specific real problem based on the use of FRP materials in construction.

    Target groups

    Architects - Civil Engineers. Use FRP to design construction and repair work and they need general and technical knowledge to incorporate FRP into their designs.
    Workers in the construction industry. Need general and application knowledge to use FRP materials in their construction works.

    Objectives

    The main objective of TAB4BUILDING is to increase the competences of the target groups in terms of knowledge and application of FRP in the construction sector and to make them professionals who can use FRP in the whole value chain.

    Outcomes

    Professional profile Map. In Intellectual output 1 (IO1) concise overview of knowledge, skills, and competences (KSC) related to the use of FRP will be made. Its goal is to be the basis for the development of the training (IO 2). The Professional profile Map will help improve professional by helping stakeholders identify skills gaps in the use of composites and particularly FRPs. It will be established by following recommendations in the context of the EQF using the VQTS approach.

    Development of training tools and methodologies on FRP materials for construction sector. A training with common subjects to both targets will be developed in IO2. The learning program will include methodological, pedagogical and technological requirements. The necessary supporting training tools (e.g. self-assessment tool, virtual field exercises, etc.) will also be defined. Training content will include content for work-based, face-to-face, and online sessions. They will be adapted as Training Units and configured following Learning Program so that the face-to-face and online content complement each other and are understandable both individually and as a whole.

    Development of training contents. It will contain all the theoretical materials and video demonstrations to get a complete knowledge of FRP materials for the construction sector, according to the experiences AIMPLAS has in this subject. In this case, there would be common materials and specific materials to focus the knowledge according to the capacities of the students (both profiles) and develop the structure of the training content in collaboration with the Silesian University of Technology.