4 ms·
I'm just going to throw it out there to spread the word; GFRP Rebar (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is a thing, and you can buy it today at your local hardware
by riversflow 4y ago
I'm just going to throw it out there to spread the word; GFRP Rebar (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is a thing, and you can buy it today at your local hardware store. I really wish I would have known about it on my last project, probably the last time I will buy steel rebar to put in concrete.
I'm not an ME, but my understanding is that it is a comp in terms of structural reinforcement. I'd be really interested to do a deep dive on how these technologies stack up against each other, it seems like a win for construction longevity, it would be pretty cool if the ecological impact of production penciled out as a win too. My understanding is that there are some trade off when being used in large projects.
My cursory research has indicated that this stuff first hit production in the 80's and was used in a bridge in the US in 96. Still haven't figured out why it hasn't taken over.[2] Is it just for a lack of evangelists?
[1]https://www.lowes.com/pd/Owens-Corning/5013333093 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Owens-Corning/5013333093
[2] https://www.fiberglassrebar.us/gfrp-rebar-from-the-beginning-in-the-usa/ https://www.fiberglassrebar.us/gfrp-rebar-from-the-beginning...
- iamgopal 4y agoAny comparison in tensile strength?
- scarier 4y agoThe main reason is stiffness—off the top of my head, it’s roughly a quarter as stiff as typical steel, so it needs significant engineering and often much more reinforcement to keep the concrete within allowable deformation limits. Basalt and carbon fiber are more promising replacements, but are significantly more expensive.
- _jsnk 4y agoI recommend Tyler Ley's youtube channel[0] entirely devoted to concrete. He has an episode[1] addressing GFRP that might interest you. [0] https://www.youtube.com/@TylerLey https://www.youtube.com/@TylerLey [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thUZImUTZn0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thUZImUTZn0
- xattt 4y agoMike Holmes, a home reno personality in Canada, had been touting its benefits in about the mid-2000s for home foundation re-pours.