Special Issue on the 10th Anniversary of IIFC

The International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) was formed in 2003 with a mission to advance the understanding and application of fiber–reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil infrastructure. Since 2005, IIFC has enjoyed a fruitful association with ASCE via co-sponsorship of the Journal of Composites for Construction (JCC). Therefore, it is fitting that this present JCC issue commemorates the 10th anniversary of IIFC. This is the third special IIFC issue published by JCC; the first two issues were in April 2007 (“Recent International Advancements in FRP Research and Application in Construction”) and April 2011 (“In Honor of Professor Urs Meier”).

The flagship events of IIFC are undoubtedly its biannual worldwide and Asia-Pacific regional conference series, which are known as FRP Composites in Civil Engineering (CICE) and Asia-Pacific Conference on FRP in Structures (APFIS), respectively. These conferences are held in alternating years at differing locations around the world: CICE in 2001 (Hong Kong), 2004 (Adelaide), 2006 (Miami), 2008 (Zurich), 2010 (Beijing), and 2012 (Rome); and APFIS in 2007 (Hong Kong), 2009 (Seoul), 2012 (Sapporo), and 2013 (Melbourne). CICE 2014 will be held in Vancouver and CICE 2016 in Hong Kong.This special issue of JCC has been timed for release prior to CICE 2014. IIFC also co-sponsors other international conference series and workshops.

To better disseminate knowledge to the wider community, IIFC makes the proceedings of most IIFC official and supported events available on its website (http://www.iifc-hq.org) for free download. IIFC publishes a newsletter and all copies are also held on the IIFC website. The newsletter commenced in 1993, and for its first 10 years, was known as FRP International. IIFC also runs several working groups that offer tangible benefits such as educational resources, state-of-the-art reports, conference special sessions, and journal special issues. IIFC recognizes excellence in the form of several awards, namely, IIFC Medal, Distinguished Young Researcher Award, President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, conference best paper awards, and IIFC fellowships. The IIFC website contains lists of all award recipients over the years, in addition to far more information than can be contained in this editorial.

IIFC is a dynamic organization that has been positively influenced by numerous individuals over the years. It is governed by an Executive Committee, which is overseen by an Advisory Committee. The Council is populated by up to 40 elected leading figures in the field from around the world, plus members of the Advisory Committee. At present, 21 countries are represented on these three committees and several of these leading figures also serve on the Editorial Board of JCC. This special issue contains 18 invited papers contributed by members of these committees and their collaborators, addressing a diverse range of topics that are representative of the breadth of activity in the field. More specifically, the papers are of an experimental, analytical, and numerical nature and address:

There is plenty of work still to be done in the field. In particular, more systematic and in-depth research is required on the long-term behavior of both FRP structures and FRP strengthened structures to substantiate the common claim that such structures have superior durability over other structures. Innovative combinations of FRP with either traditional construction materials or new materials to produce new structural members and forms will have an important role in designing the next generation of high-performance and sustainable structures. There is no doubt that the conversion of research findings into workable design guidelines and standards for use by design engineers is critical in widening the applications of FRP in civil construction.

The contributions of numerous individuals are acknowledged in the preparation of this special issue. The authors of the papers in this issue are thanked for preparing high-quality manuscripts. Professor Charles E. Bakis, Editor-in-Chief of JCC, is thanked for handling the paper review process and ensuring maintenance of the high JCC standard. Professor Bakis is also supported by Ms. Renee Lindenberg and a large team of reviewers; their contributions are all acknowledged. The idea of an IIFC 10th anniversary special issue was positively received by Professor Lawrence C. Bank, IIFC President, and by the members of the Executive Committee following discussions after CICE 2012. For that, they are all thanked for their support. Finally, all members of IIFC, past and present, are thanked for their various contributions over the years, which have enabled IIFC to move into its second decade on a sound and positive footing.