Recent developments of FRP bars as internal reinforcement in concrete structures & field applications

Abstract

In the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in using noncorrosive fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) reinforcing bars for concrete structures due to enhanced properties and cost-effectiveness. The FRP bars have been used extensively in different applications such as bridges, parking garages, water tanks, tunnels and marine structures in which the corrosion of steel reinforcement has typically led to significant deterioration and rehabilitation needs. Significant developments from the manufacturers, researchers and Design Standards along with numerous successful installations provided designers and owners with a high comfort level and led to an exponentially increasing use. After years of investigation and implementation, public agencies and regulatory authorities in North America have now included FRP as a premium corrosion resistant reinforcing material in their corrosion protection policies. Currently, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) contain design provisions for the design of concrete bridge members reinforced with FRP bars. As a result, well over 500 bridges across Canada and USA have been designed and constructed using FRP bars. This paper presents a summary and overview of different recent field applications of FRP bars in different types of civil engineering concrete infrastructures.