Abstract

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials have emerged as a practical alternative material for producing reinforcing bars for concrete structures. This is due to their relatively low cost-toperformance ratio and noncorrosive nature compared to traditional steel reinforcing bars. In addition, FRP materials exhibit properties, such as high tensile strength, that make them suitable for use as structural reinforcement. However, their durability in an alkaline environment is still of concern and factors that can affect the long-term behaviour of GFRP materials have to be investigated. Moisture, high pH of surrounding environment, extreme temperature and the presence of micro cracks can affect the long-term properties of FRP reinforcing bars. This paper summarizes the long-term durability study of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars subjected to different conditionings simulating the real environment of application. In particular, the behaviour of GFRP bars subjected moisture, high pH of moist concrete, extreme temperatures, and to tensile prestress was investigated showing the great durability of GFRP reinforcing bars.

KEYWORDS

FRP, composites materials, reinforcement, concrete, high temperature, absorption, mechanical properties, rate of reaction, prediction model.