What Structural Engineers Should Know About GFRP Reinforcement

In steel-reinforced concrete (steel-RC) structures, reinforcing steels corrosion reduces the structure’s lifespan and requires expensive repairs. When steel-RC structures are exposed to moisture coupled with chlorides and CO₂, concrete deterioration is caused, leading to significant repairs typically after 25 years of service. As the structure ages, major repairs can be expected every ten years until it needs to be replaced, typically after 50 to 75 years of continuous service. Researchers and engineers have been studying corrosion in concrete structures and exploring ways to prevent it. The use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforcing bars was considered in the early 1960s as one potential solution for preventing corrosion in reinforced con-crete. There was a significant development in FRP research, field demonstrations, and commercialization starting in the 1980s and continuing since then.