Exploring innovative construction materials such as composite GFRP creates new possibilities to enhance this technology and provide a better alternative than traditional materials in terms of cost, strength, and environmental concerns. Many nations are now realizing that composite materials like fiberglass rebar are the future of structural engineering. While it is tested and proven that GFRP materials are an excellent alternative to traditional materials, the construction industry in North America needs to make good use of these sustainable building materials both in new and rehabilitation applications.
High-resistance to corrosion and oxidation, rapid construction process, electromagnetic neutrality, relatively high mechanical properties and the ability to form complex shapes are some of the properties that nations need to build futuristic and maintenance-free concrete infrastructure.
In the last couple of decades, a great deal of research was carried out to identify new materials that can resolve structural problems which steel cannot. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the biggest concerns; the United States and Canada spend billions of dollars every year just to repair existing concrete structures. Fortunately, composite materials have developed into promising concrete reinforcement products that can last for more than 100 years, outsmarting steel in many areas.
When public infrastructures such as highway bridges and waterside facilities are built with materials that can’t withstand tough environmental conditions, governments then have to spend plenty of resources every year to repair and maintain such structures. Since fiberglass rebar and other composite materials don’t require heavy maintenance, it isn’t wise to use traditional materials just because they’re slightly more inexpensive.
Taking into account the life cycle of a GFRP-reinforced structure, it is economically viable to use GFRP materials in order to avoid corrosion-induced deterioration, difficult and long construction processes, and costly maintenance. As mentioned earlier, direct corrosion cost is in the billions but it’s also important to consider the indirect costs such as traffic delays and user inconvenience.
As a long-lasting construction material, GFRP fiberglass rebar is designed to offer impeccable corrosion-resistance, extended service life, high strength, and ease of installation. Almost all the efforts made to study the in-practice performance of fiberglass rebar ended concluding that public and construction agencies should focus on replacing traditional materials with composites in order to ensure less burden on taxpayers and the environment in the future.
About TUF-BAR
At TUF-BAR, we produce fiberglass products using our proprietary patented pultrusion manufacturing process. We maintain strict control to ensure our products are in compliance with ACI and CSA building codes. Contact us for more information!
