Reforcé

Reforcé is a term used in some technical and design contexts to describe a component, structure, or material that has undergone reinforcement to improve strength, stiffness, or durability.

In structural engineering and construction, reforcé elements are retrofitted or redesigned to withstand higher loads or to meet updated safety requirements, such as earthquake resistance or fatigue life extension. Typical methods include fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps, external steel or composite frames, increasing cross-section by adding material, and modifying connections to improve load paths.

Terminology notes: The word may appear as a regional or historical spelling in certain Romance-language texts to denote reinforced objects; it is not standardized across the field, so interpretation depends on context.

In practice, reforcé is described in project specifications and retrofit reports as the reinforced state of an element; exact meaning varies by code, discipline, and local usage.

Related topics include reinforcement, retrofitting, strengthening, and reinforced concrete.