COMPOSITE REBAR
Introduction
The greatest weakness of concrete is its low tensile strength which has been remedied by using steel rebar on the tension side of the concrete. However, a major and unavoidable disadvantage of steel rebar is its susceptibility to corrosion.Having a concrete cover that’s too thin allows water to penetrate and react with steel rebar causing the concrete to crack. Occasionally concrete aggregates react with the steel causing the concrete to spall and rust.
If steel rebar rusts it will reduce the strength of the reinforced concrete. When rust forms around steel rebar, the internal pressure will significantly increase around the surrounding concrete, leading to crack propagation.
When steel bars corrode, deterioration of the structure will be quite rapid and dramatic.
Other disadvantages of steel rebar are its high weight and conductivity.
Figure 1: Steel rebar [Google]
CFRP rebar has been applied in concrete structures as a superior alternative to conventional steel reinforcement since it offers significant advantages over steel reinforcement, for example, it is a long-term solution to steel reinforcement corrosion.
Figure 2: CFRP rebar components
Why use CFRP rebar?
- Extend the service life and durability of a concrete structure
- Tensile strength is 1.5~2 times higher than steel rebar
- Significant elongation
- Electrically and thermally non-conductive (good choice for MRI medical equipment)
- Impervious to chloride ions and chemical attacks
- Non-corrosive and rust-resistant making it the perfect solution against deicing salts and marine salts in aggressively corrosive environments
- Less concrete cover is required
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Lightweight: its weight is about 1/4th of common steel rebar so application and transportation are much easier and quicker
- Higher strength-to-weight ratio: this specification will increase the load bearing capacity of the structure and will reduce the whole weight of the structure which results in a reduction of earthquake forces
- Improve mechanical and fatigue behavior of the concrete structure which makes it suitable for cyclic loading situations like roads and bridges
- It is a user-friendly product as it can easily be cut and there is no need for any special equipment
- Higher stiffness of CFRP rebar leads to decreasing the required length of rebar in concrete Âą
Figure 3: CFRP rebar [Google]
Authors
Parastoo Azad and Dr. Mehrtash Soltani (May 12, 2021)
References
Parastoo Azad and Dr. Mehrtash Soltani (May 12, 2021)
References
- American Concrete Institute. (ACI) (2015). “Guide for the design and construction of structural concrete reinforced with FRP bars.” 440.1R-15.
- Bartholomew, V. L. (1993). FRP Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Members. ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL.
- Hany Tobbi, A. S. (2012). Concrete Columns Reinforced Longitudinally and Transversally with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars. ACI STRUCTURAL JOURNAL.
- Katz, A. (2004). Environmental Impact of Steel and Fiber–Reinforced Polymer Reinforced Pavements. Journal of Composites for Construction, 481-488.
COMPOSITE REBAR
Introduction
The greatest weakness of concrete is its low tensile strength which has been remedied by using steel rebar on the tension side of the concrete. However, a major and unavoidable disadvantage of steel rebar is its susceptibility to corrosion.Having a concrete cover that’s too thin allows water to penetrate and react with steel rebar causing the concrete to crack. Occasionally concrete aggregates react with the steel causing the concrete to spall and rust.
If steel rebar rusts it will reduce the strength of the reinforced concrete. When rust forms around steel rebar, the internal pressure will significantly increase around the surrounding concrete, leading to crack propagation.
When steel bars corrode, deterioration of the structure will be quite rapid and dramatic.
Other disadvantages of steel rebar are its high weight and conductivity.
Figure 1: Steel rebar [Google]
CFRP rebar has been applied in concrete structures as a superior alternative to conventional steel reinforcement since it offers significant advantages over steel reinforcement, for example, it is a long-term solution to steel reinforcement corrosion.
Figure 2: CFRP rebar components
Why use CFRP rebar?
- Extend the service life and durability of a concrete structure
- Tensile strength is 1.5~2 times higher than steel rebar
- Significant elongation
- Electrically and thermally non-conductive (good choice for MRI medical equipment)
- Impervious to chloride ions and chemical attacks
- Non-corrosive and rust-resistant making it the perfect solution against deicing salts and marine salts in aggressively corrosive environments
- Less concrete cover is required
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Lightweight: its weight is about 1/4th of common steel rebar so application and transportation are much easier and quicker
- Higher strength-to-weight ratio: this specification will increase the load bearing capacity of the structure and will reduce the whole weight of the structure which results in a reduction of earthquake forces
- Improve mechanical and fatigue behavior of the concrete structure which makes it suitable for cyclic loading situations like roads and bridges
- It is a user-friendly product as it can easily be cut and there is no need for any special equipment
- Higher stiffness of CFRP rebar leads to decreasing the required length of rebar in concrete Âą
Figure 3: CFRP rebar [Google]
Authors
Parastoo Azad and Dr. Mehrtash Soltani (May 12, 2021)
References
Parastoo Azad and Dr. Mehrtash Soltani (May 12, 2021)
References
- American Concrete Institute. (ACI) (2015). “Guide for the design and construction of structural concrete reinforced with FRP bars.” 440.1R-15.
- Bartholomew, V. L. (1993). FRP Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Members. ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL.
- Hany Tobbi, A. S. (2012). Concrete Columns Reinforced Longitudinally and Transversally with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars. ACI STRUCTURAL JOURNAL.
- Katz, A. (2004). Environmental Impact of Steel and Fiber–Reinforced Polymer Reinforced Pavements. Journal of Composites for Construction, 481-488.