Floating Structures And Performance of GFRP Composites

Floating-Structures

The mega-float bodies are designed to serve as platforms for infrastructures such as airports, port facilities, petroleum and LNG storage facilities, sports and leisure complexes, bridge piers, etc. Oceans are of great importance since the human activities are expanding into oceanic regions. The floating structures will be important means of ocean development. However, the rehabilitation cost of marine structures has reached an unprecedented level.

The use of marine environment for human life due to its positive effects on lifestyle has created opportunities for offshore construction. However, building maintenance-free concrete structures that could remain in service for at least 100 years has been critical to sustainable economic growth. From the life-cycle standpoint, there is an urgent need to explore, develop, and implement corrosion-free technologies.

Since the floating structures, whether large or small, are constructed in an aquatic environment where structural deterioration and corrosion of traditional reinforcement are likely to develop prematurely, structural engineers have to use high-quality materials that can resist corrosive elements and maintain the overall integrity of a structure. The application of GFRP reinforcement can help construction industry build corrosion-free and sustainable floating structures.

In order to evaluate the performance of composite materials, various studies have been conducted to examine concrete-FRP bond strength and to investigate whether or not composite materials (FRP) are better than steel and other conventional materials. A number of tests have been conducted to study the bond strength of ordinary steel as compared to GFRP rebar. Durability testing of GFRP rebar has been conducted by various universities and research centers throughout the world, studying GFRP reinforcement for a large variety of different environments and evaluation conditions. Most of the studies present a preliminary experimental study highlighting some of the hidden potentials of GFRP reinforcement.

A considerable number of durability and performance tests reveal that the structures reinforced with GFRP rebar have superior resistance against corrosion and that they are highly likely to achieve long service life without costly maintenance and repair. GFRP rebar is an ideal material for building long-lasting and cost-effective waterside structures.

The existing RC floating infrastructure is subject to specific environmental conditions which make it impossible for concrete structures to reach their expected service life without repair, periodic repainting, and rehabilitation. Following the expensive repair and rehabilitation activities, engineers struggle to eliminate or reduce corrosion of steel reinforcement caused by corrosive seawater.

Corrosion of reinforcing steel has been the leading cause of deterioration of concrete infrastructure which leads to multi-million annual rehabilitation costs around the world. The advantageous properties of GFRP rebar such as high tensile strength, corrosion-resistance, electromagnetic neutrality, and ease of installation have led to an increasing interest in GFRP

About TUF-BAR

At TUF-BAR, we manufacture and sell supreme quality GFRP rebar and accessories that can extend the service life of marine structures up to 100 years. Being a member of Canada Green Building Council, we produce environment-friendly construction products such as fiberglass rebar by using the highest quality corrosion-resistance vinylester resin and fiberglass materials that are in compliance with CSA and ACI codes. Feel free to discuss your project with us!