Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Rebar– Technology

Recently, composite materials made from fibers embedded in a polymer resin, also known as fiber reinforced polymers are an alternative to steel reinforcement for concrete structures. Fiber reinforced polymer aramid (AFRP), carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are the products commercially available for the construction industry. They have been proposed for use instead of steel or prestressed steel cables nonprestressed or prestressed concrete (ACI 440R 2006). The problems of steel corrosion is avoided with the use of FRP because fiber reinforced non-metallic materials are non-corrosive. Furthermore, FRP materials have several properties including high tensile strength which makes them suitable for use as structural reinforcement.

In addition, codes and design provisions have been recently developed guidance for the use of FRP bars in concrete structures for bridges and buildings (ACI 440H 2000, CSA 2000, ISIS-Canada, 2000).

The bond properties are responsible for transferring the load of concrete to strengthen and develop the necessary restraint in strengthening the balance, especially when the concrete is cracked. The service limits in FRP reinforced concrete elements, such as deflection, crack width and crack spacing is directly influenced by the properties of link reinforcement in concrete. Fiber reinforced polymer bars are anisotropic materials. Factors such as the type and amount of fiber and resin, fiber orientation and quality control during the production process plays a major role in the mechanical properties. If rebar carbon FRP (CFRP bar Isorod Pultrall, ADS Composites Group), when comparing a steel rod of 11.3 mm reinforced carbon fiber with a diameter similar about 9.5 mm, the results show that the tensile stress-strain curves of the CFRP bar is linear up to fracture (All FRP bars is linear elastic to failure).

The tensile strength of at least 1500 MPa, three times with reinforcing steel. The elastic modulus of the CFRP bar is 128 GPa, about 65% that of steel. CFRP bar set close to the bond strength to concrete even as a steel bar diameter 11.3 mm. (Benmokrane et al. 2001) As for glass FRP bars (GFRP bar ASLAN 100 Hughes Brothers, Inc.), tensile strength of 9 mm GFRP bar is 760 MPa and a modulus of elasticity is 40.8 GPa , much lower than for steel.

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