A Review Study on the Behavior of Pipelines Strengthened by Fiber Reinforced Polymer FRP

Background Pipelines are critical infrastructures for transporting water, oil, and gas, but they are susceptible to degradation from corrosion, mechanical damage, and environmental stresses. Traditional repair methods are often costly, disruptive, and time-consuming. Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have emerged as a superior alternative for pipeline rehabilitation and new construction due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. Installation prices for FRP composite pipes are decreasing, making them more popular in a variety of applications. FRP offers good mechanical qualities that, when combined with other materials, enhance the environmental impact, cost-benefit analysis, durability, strength, and pressure capacity. Methods The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the behavior and application of FRP composites in pipeline systems. The review systematically examines the use of different FRP types (including glass, carbon, aramid, and natural fibers), their hybrid combinations, and the various fabrication processes such as filament winding and pultrusion. It further details their application in repairing and strengthening pipelines across the water, oil/gas, and chemical sectors. Results Key findings indicate that FRP composites can effectively restore or even enhance the structural integrity and pressure capacity of damaged pipelines, with carbon FRP often providing the highest performance gain. The study also discusses the role of finite element analysis in designing these repairs. Conclusions The primary contribution of this work lies in its synthesis of a wide body of recent research into a single, detailed resource, highlighting the state-of-the-art, identifying performance trends across different FRP materials and applications, and outlining critical challenges and future research directions for the widespread adoption of FRP technology in pipeline engineering.