Introduction
Reinforced
concrete is a common building material for the construction of
facilities and structures. While concrete has a high
compressive strength, it has a very limited tensile strength.
To overcome these tensile limitations, reinforcing bars are used
in the tension side of concrete structures. Steel rebars have
been and are an effective and cost-efficient concrete
reinforcement, but are susceptible to oxidation when exposed to
chlorides. Examples of such exposure include marine areas,
regions where road salts are used for deicing, and locations
where salt contaminated aggregates are used in the concrete
mixture.
When
properly protected from ion attack, steel reinforcement can last
for decades without exhibiting any visible signs of
deterioration. However, it is not always possible to provide
this kind of corrosion protection. Insufficient concrete cover,
poor design or workmanship, poor concrete mix, and presence of
large amounts of aggressive agents all can lead to corrosion of
the steel rebar and cracking of the concrete.
Fiber
reinforced polymer (FRP) composite rebar have the potential to
address this corrosion deficiency. FRP rebar can be used as
non-prestressed reinforcement in concrete for members subjected
to flexure, shear, and compression loadings. FRP Composite
rebar are totally resistant to chloride ion attack, offer a
tensile strength of 1½ - 2 times that of steel, weigh only 25%
of the weight of equivalent size steel rebar, and are highly
effective electromagnetic and thermal insulators.
Features and Benefits
-
Non-Corrosive
- will not corrode exposed to a wide variety of corrosive
elements including chloride ions.
-
High
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
- provides good reinforcement in weight sensitive
applications.
-
Non-Conductive
- provide excellent electrical and thermal insulation.
-
Excellent Fatigue Resistance
- performs very well in cyclic loading situations.
-
Good
Impact Resistance
- resists sudden and severe point loading.
-
Magnetic
Transparency
- not affected by electromagnetic fields; excellent for use in
MRI and other types of electronic testing facilities.
-
Lightweight
- easily transported in the field without need for expensive
heavy lifting equipment.
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