Concrete FRP FAQ

Information about fibre reinforcing polymers.

What is it? How it works? Which products?

What To Know

  • FRP is often defined as a fibre reinforcing product. More technical terms have evolved to fibre reinforcing plastic or fibre reinforcing polymer.

    CFRP is Carbon Fibre. CFRP is becoming popular and as so, it is normally preferrable to glass fibre. Sometimes costs can restrict carbon fibre from use. Carbon fibre is preferrable due to it's light weight to performance ratio and limitless fatigue factors. CFRP can be degraded by UV exposure.

    GFRP is Glass Fibre. Glass has been used as a cheaper alternative to others which lower strengths are needed. Glass fibers are denser than carbon fibers and as such have greater impact resistance. Glass also has better thermal and electrical resistance.

    AFRP is Aramid Fibre aka Kevlar. This high strength fibre has a low density, has good abrasion resistance, good chemical resistance and better thermal resistance. AFRP can be degraded by UV exposure.

    FRP products are commonly used on the bottom side of beams and slabs to increase load limits and restrict bending. It can be used to wrap posts and beam ends to confine product to increase shear resistance failure.

  • FRP products have high tensile strenght capacities. An FRP is bonded to a product. Under stress a load is transferred to the fibre product through an ahered resin. Under a load, the FRP helps distribute this additional carrying force over a larger area or to a point where a force can be transferred to another load carrying member.

  • FRP works best at confinement and adding tensile strength to beams. It will be limited in enhancing stiffness without proper design. The attraction of FRP is it has less limitation and restrictions than many other methods of repair.

    FRP should not be used in high heat areas. The installation must be done on a warm surface.

    It should not be exposed to the sun. If it must be exposed, then a durable UV stable coating is recommended.

    Costs can in some cases limit the value of the installation. FRP installations tend to be labour intensive and poor bond surfaces may increase budgets.

  • Yes. However night time noice bylaws may make this difficult in some locations. Low temperatures can also cause unexpected debonding during the initial cure.

  • Power lines, lights, duct work, water lines... anything running across the location of the FRP installation.

    Poor quality concrete. A pull test is normally completed to test the concrete. The concrete should be 200psi or higher to make an effective FRP repair.

    Cracks, spalled concrete is not suitable for FRP directly. Concrete of poor condition may need further repair work prior to FRP installation.

    Air movement. Dust movement through pressure differences can create problems. Make sure duct work is sealed if in operation and/or fans.

    Poor quality electrical breakers.

  • FRP installations require a varitey of powered tools and dust containment systems. Unfortunately if power is not available on site generators can be noisey and create a smell where they are running. Power requirements will depend on project size but generally are not excessive and normally always run on 120V supply.

During The Application

  • Not really. Epoxy does smell in its parts but as it is mixed, this smell is limited and once the epoxy is curing, there is no smell. This smell is very limited and is generally not a problem to any properly ventilated area.

  • Yes. Concrete preparation is almost never quiet.

    Common noise includes:

    • Generator power noise

    • Shop Vac type noise

    • Concrete grinding and cutting

  • Hazards during the installation generally include trip hazards on power cords, dust inhilation, hearing damage from noise, and spills.

    The hazards associated with FRP applications are generally restricted to the work zone only.

  • +/- 7 days. Consult the product data sheet for information. Cold temperatures will extend the cure time significantly.

After The Application

  • Cure times are listed on the installation product data sheet. Generally a product is near full strength within 7 days.

  • Black and clear. It really does not come in other colours unless a coating is put overtop when complete.

  • FRP products installed without protection are exposed to negative effects. Damage via impact, scratching, chemical, etc can occur.

    • Protect low product from impacts via a sacrificial protection system such as a board.

    • Protect low height vetical installation from impact and scratching via protection layer or bollards.

    • Protect from UV damage via a compatible paint or other coating.

    • Protect from fire damage using a heat resistive coating.

    Be cautious on chemical contamination. Epoxy's and FRP products are resistant to many different types of products. Some strong chemicals may have some damaging effects. Please consult an engineer or call Roaron Construction for advice.

  • Yes. If FRP is scratched, cut, broken, steps can be taken to repair the system. Please call for assistance.

  • Fire is the major harm item to FRP. Epoxies generally do not handle high heat well. The system can soften and lose it's strength should a fire occur and heat the product.

    Should a fire occur, an engineer must be notified immediately. For assistance, please give us a call.

DISCLAIMER

Not All Situations Are The Same

Information presented from this page are based from our experiences and knowledge. It is presented only as general information to assist in decision making and general procedures. This information may or may not provide accurate and/or appropriate solutions for any specific questions as each situation may vary and require different strategies. Use of the information provided does not hold Roaron Construction responsible for any liabilities, cost, wrong doing, or related expenses incurred from the use of information provided on this site.

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