In North America, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials have been in service, on public infrastructure facilities such as bridge decks, for over a decade. While the performance of GFRP-reinforced concrete structures has been excellent, advanced manufacturing technologies and promising characteristics of composite materials drive bridge producers and engineers to encourage the wider acceptance and use of these innovative construction materials.
Need for better infrastructure
Various bridge components, especially the deck of a bridge, are vulnerable to deterioration because they are subject to direct vehicular wheel loads and corrosive environments. There are thousands of bridges in North America which have poor deck conditions and need to be given due attention. Although, a deck failure doesn’t lead to an immediate tragic collapse, these bridges are safety risks to the traveling public.
Reinforced concrete is the de facto standard for bridge decks and more than 80% of bridges use concrete. Recognition of the disadvantages and deficiencies of traditional materials encourages the construction industry to explore the use of advanced materials such as GFRP fiberglass rebar.
Why choose GFRP reinforcement?
GFRP composite decks have inherent characteristics that make them ideal to build bridge infrastructure which lasts much longer. Here are some reasons why GFRP reinforcement should be increasingly used for civil engineering projects:
- Low life cycle cost
- Short construction time
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Adaptable to new demands
- Zero material degradation
GFRP decks are light modular systems which are strong enough for any legal load. Unlike steel bridge decks, composite decks are easy to install. As a corrosion-resistant material, GFRP fiberglass rebar is designed to achieve an extended service life of 100 years or more. The quality of a composite deck is better than that of a site-built deck because the former is designed in a factory environment where strict quality assurance criterion is applied.
Lightweight and durable GFRP decks can be used to rehabilitate structurally deficient bridges. If a steel-reinforced bridge has some section deteriorated due to corrosion, fiberglass rebar can be used to restore the lost strength.
Without maintenance, corrosion of steel reinforcement makes it impossible for a concrete structure to reach its expected service life. Rebuilding deteriorated structures has a significant environmental impact. GFRP reinforcement can help the construction industry reduce environmental impacts and build durable concrete structures.
Who we are
We are TUF-BAR, a leading producer and seller of high-quality GFRP fiberglass rebar in North America. Browse through our site to learn more about our composite products and their specifications!
