Monday, March 23, 2015

Things To Know About Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer

By Lelia Hall


There are certain types of fibers that can be used in different structural applications. Most of them can also be used for the augmentation of the polymer composites. Also, there are some corrosion problems when it comes to the reinforcing steel and may result yo failures of concrete structures. The presence of corrosion may damage the concrete surfaces and will create an avenue for the chlorides and other elements to oxidize the steel bars. Fiberglass materials are one of the popular materials used for the augmentation of fibers.

It is a lightweight material and used for many products. It is an immensely versatile material because to its lightweight, weather resistant finish, inherent strength and variety of surface textures. Actually, glass fiber reinforced polymer is a proven and successful alternative reinforcing spectrum of authoritative consensus design guides, construction standards, materials, test methods, product procurement specs and qualification of procedures available to the designer.

Using this material can give a guarantee that owners and designers can be commercially and safely implement the reinforcement in various types of structures. This fiberglass can be applied into several forms of fibers. It is not a stiff or strong like the carbon fibers but has a characteristic making it more applicable in different structural applications. Also, it is non conductive and invisible to every type of transmission. This way, it is a great choice when you are dealing with electrical and broadcast applications.

The mechanical behaviors and properties of fiber reinforced polymers including composites with carbon and glass fibers, versus metal reinforcing must be understood before undertaking the design of structures with the use of these reinforcements. These systems are increasingly acceptable alternative to steel reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures.

The main advantage of this system than the steel augmentation is its versatility and resistance to corrosion. Also, masonry structures may greatly benefit from these applications. Typically, they can be applicable to strengthen all structures that can be specified by structural engineers in public and private industries. With the use of fibers, the main reinforcing fibers can be applied to all FRPs.

It is better to consider the best factor when you choose a certain type if reinforced composite for every structural application and try to understand the limit of each fiber to resist the long tern loading. A continuous loading in the fiber polymers has also the abilities to resist many loads, but usually prone to failure, rupture in the structures and long term deflection.

These advantages usually include high strength, corrosion resistant, light weight, low thermal conductivity, dimensionally stable, and impact resistant as well as low cycle costs and electromagnetically transparent. But just like any other materials, it has also a disadvantage specifically its high initial cost than the steel reinforcement.

FRPs used as structural augmentation are widely used in variety of applications. They are used in bridges, roads, tunnels, slopes and marine environments. An internal augmentation has a particular advantage in tunnel walls, where steel reinforcement would damage the face of the tunnel boring machine.

Knowing all these things will give you an idea before the project. It can create great awareness of the things that must be done before starting. This is especially when planning to build complex structure. This is another way to determine the right applications.




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