Monday 15 August 2016

Manufacturers Explaining Properties of FRP for Strengthening


FRP material is a composite material that is gaining its roots in the construction industry. Manufacturers of FRP gratings India are acquiring more clients for their products and services due to their properties like lightweight, corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and easy to implementation.  These properties make the FRP material ideal solution for strengthening method of reinforced concrete structural elements. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of FRP usage as composite materials.

Reinforced concrete structures’ strengthening is critical for many reasons like earthquakes, inadequate strength-strain properties, etc. In addition to traditional ways to strengthen the components like jacketing, externally bonded steel plates, etc. advanced composite material has become major component for strengthening of RC structures. Use of FRP materials for strengthening has increased in past few years.

Strengthening Techniques for Concrete Reinforced Structures:

The major objective of repairing is to restore the function of the deteriorated or damaged parts of non-structural elements. Strengthening theory can be explained as the process of enhancing capacity of the damaged components of the structural concrete to its genuine design capacity, or enhancement over the original structure strength. Strengthening of reinforced concrete structures is critical due to many reasons-

•    Earthquake hazards
•    Accidents  like fire, explosion
•    Reinforcement corrosion
•    Incorrect calculations and project applications
•    Unsuitable material usage
•    Inadequate lateral reinforcement
•    Poor workmanship
•    Extra storey
•    Over loading

Do you know the Advantages and Disadvantages of Composite Materials?

Composite materials are advantageous. Some of benefits of using these materials are-

•    High strength to weight ratio
•    Air condition, corrosion and chemical resistance
•    High workability
•    High stiffness to weight ratio
•    Easy formability
•    Low transport cost due to lightweight
•    Low heat conductivity
•    High impact strength
•    Electrical insulation and conductivity

As it is said that there is nothing that comes only with positive side, there are some negatives of composite materials. We will discuss them now.

•    Manufacturing cost is high.
•    Materials are brittle.
•    Materials need refrigerated transport and storage and have short life.
•    Composites need to be contaminant free before repair.
•    Dry composites should be used for repairing as all resin matrices and some fibers absorb moisture.

Matrices are second major components used in composite materials. Their main function is to hold the fibers together, transfers loads and protects the fibers from external influences. Some important properties of matrices materials are-

•    Reduced moisture absorption
•    Low shrinkage
•    Low coefficient of thermal expansion
•    Reasonable strength
•    Good flow of characteristics
•    Low temperature capability
•    Dimensional stability
•    Excellent chemical resistance
•    Flexible to transfer load to fibers

Manufacturers of FRP Gratings India have just explained important properties and advantages of FRP materials. These composite materials are used for fabrication of FRP profiles. If you have queries related to FRP materials or you want to source some FRP gratings, contact manufacturers and suppliers today.