Fiberglass Rebar And Its Applications

Introduction 

Fiberglass rebar is made with exclusive corrosion-resistant materials. It is considered to be the best concrete reinforcement for a wide range of applications. With twice the tensile strength of steel rebar and 25% the weight of steel rebar, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar is an exquisite solution for applications where concrete is exposed to water or salt water. It does not corrode, discolor or weaken.

GFRP rebar is the most common variant of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). It has been steadily making inroads into the rebar market. Corrosion-resistance and strength are major concerns in the heavy construction industry. Galvanized and black bar steel has been in use for so long. However, it does not work effectively against corrosion. The biggest strength of fiberglass reinforcement is that it is corrosion-resistant.

Applications of fiberglass rebar

 Fiberglass rebar or GFRP rebar is well-known for its strength and resistance against chlorides attack. It is an established fact that fiber does not rust. The property of being extremely effective against environmental elements makes fiberglass reinforcement material ideal for applications such as:

• Concrete structures that are built near sea water, for instance, sea walls, dams, canals, and quays
• Construction sites with mining walls, water treatment, copper and aluminum smelters, and petrochemicals
• Construction projects that involve magnetic resonance imaging installations, communication and electrical equipment, and underground road infrastructure
• Concrete structures that are vulnerable to corrosive agents; bus stops, curbs, retaining walls, roads, and foundations,
• Sites that are thermally sensitive and with poor load-bearing soil conditions
• Highly sensitive installations, for instance, nuclear power plants, seismic sites, and refrigeration units
• Heavy construction projects like bridges, runways, and overpasses 

Conventional reinforcement material cannot withstand the environmental threats for a long period. Following are some of the benefits of GFRP:

• Glass fiber reinforced polymer, when bonded with concrete, does not react to salt and other chemicals
• It is manufactured using pultrusion process that offers high tensile strength, almost twice that of steel rebar
• Being non-conductive and non-magnetic, fiberglass rebar does not cause any interference with magnetic fields, making it safe to use sensitive electronic devices
• As mentioned earlier, fiberglass rebar is quarter the weight of steel, easy to transport and install
• It does not let concrete break, spall or crack making it possible for concrete structures to achieve long service life. 

Conclusively speaking, consequences of corrosions such as high rehabilitation cost, contamination, and loss of efficiency can be avoided by building concrete structures reinforced with fiberglass rebar.