Reinforced concrete is a composite material in which reinforcement is included in order to address concrete’s low ductility and tensile strength. Rust remains one of the major problems associated with traditional reinforcement methods. There is no denying the fact that rust is cancer for concrete. The inability of steel reinforced bars to fight harsh environment demands costly repair and maintenance in the long-term.
Last four decades have witnessed a great deal of research to develop corrosion-free construction solutions capable of extending the service life of civil engineering structures, enhancing the performance of infrastructures under severe environmental and loading conditions. Extensive research has been carried out to develop modern construction materials with improved durability and environmental resistance.
Reinforced concrete experts have come up with Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement as a durable and corrosion-free construction solution that has the power to extend the lifespan of a concrete structure up to 100 years. Glass, carbon, and aramid are frequently used fibers for FRP reinforcement. One of the most highlighted benefits of FRP is that it is not susceptible to chloride-initiated corrosion in concrete. This property of FRP reinforcement makes it an ideal choice for engineers to build concrete structures that can survive the severe environment for a long period of time.
When it comes to the value of a composite material, durability is the defining feature. As a part of the evaluation process to determine the durability of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement, a number of tests have been conducted to determine its strength against different stress levels and environmental conditions. This relatively new construction material has been accepted by a large section of the building industry in North America as well as in other parts of the world.
Distinctive features of GFRP reinforcement
How is GFRP reinforcement an incredible alternative to conventional and outdated reinforcement material? When GFRP composites are compared with traditional reinforcement materials, GFRP reinforcement outclasses traditional reinforcement in high strength-to-weight ratio, thermal and electric insulation, corrosion resistance, low maintenance cost, flexibility, and installation cost.
When we construct a project with materials that cannot withstand the harsh environment, plenty of resources are consumed to repair and maintain the integrity of a structure. What if we use quality building material at first place and avoid the direct outlay of maintenance funds. The prime objective of developing fiberglass reinforcement products was to construct concrete structures which can achieve long service life without receiving maintenance or repair.
As an initiative to make the production of fiberglass reinforcement more environment-friendly, TUF-BAR started manufacturing superior quality fiberglass rebar in 2000. Their fiberglass reinforcement rebar has been serving as a durable and lightweight alternative to traditional steel products.
