What is GFRP Bar | GFRP Bars vs Steel Bars

January 5, 2022 by Sanjay Singh

In this article, we are going to explain all details about GFRP Bars, the Advantages &
Disadvantages of GFRP Bars, Properties of GFRP Bars, application of GFRP Rebar in
construction.

So please read the article till the end, and if you found this information then please share
with your friends, if you have any queries please comment.

Reinforcement is like a bone of any structural element which resists tensile stress. Steel
rebars are the most common type of reinforcement of every RCC Structure. Steel was
selected as a reinforcement material due to the strong bonding between steel and concrete.

But nowadays, the increase in prices of steel rebars & cement is very painful for any
contractor. Some contractor deducts the quantity of this material during construction due to
the high price of such materials.

Also, Some contractors are adopting the best alternative of such material, such as pozzolana
cement is the best alternative of ordinary Portland cement which consists of very similar
properties to OPC. Also generate less heat of hydration, due to that the initial shrinkage
cracks or hair cracks are reduced in concrete.

But, What about conventional Rebar? is an alternative to steel rebar? Most people are
searching for the answer to these questions because very less study present in the industry
which proves that this material is the best alternative to steel.

So, in this article, we discussed the best alternative of steel rebars, which have very similar
properties to conventional steel. Let’s Start

Table of Contents

 What is GFRP Bar?

 Properties of GFRP Bars

 Application of GFRP Bars

 Advantages of GFRP Bars

 GFRP Bars Vs Steel Bars

 Frequently Asked Questions

o What is GFRP Bar?

o What is the Price of GFRP Bars in India?

o What is the full form of the GFRP Bar?

What is GFRP Bar?

The full form of GFRP Bar is Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer which is a composite material of
longitudinal glass fibers, polyester resins & matrix material.

Nowadays, It’s become the best alternative reinforcing material in RCC Structure due to its
Properties and elastic behavior that is very similar to Conventional steel rebars.

GFRP Bars also give enough time to alert before failure which is again similar to steel. The
most advantageous feature of GFRP Bars is their corrosion resistance.
GFRP Bars are anti-corrosive materials that allow constructing any element with keeping the
minimum cover in severe or extremely severe environmental conditions. GFRP Bars are
available in every standard size.

The young’s modulus of gfrp bars is very similar to steel rebar. In research, it’s found that the
glass fiber reinforced concrete offers high bending properties as compared to steel rebar
(RCC).

Also Read: Construction Procedure of Under Reamed Piles

Properties of GFRP Bars

Density 1600 to 2000 Kg/m3

Tensile Strength 400 to 4200 MPa

Fiber Content % by Weight 50 to 80%

Young’s Modulus 35 to 86 GPa

Elongation 1.2 to 5%

Coefficient of Linear Expansion 6.0 to 10 (10^-6/degree celsius)

Application of GFRP Bars

The construction application of GFRP Bars is listed below.

 Aerospace and Defence

 Automotive Industry

 Power Generation

 Dock & Marines applications (Seawall, Dock, Harbour)

 Fountains and aquariums

 Cooling Towers

 Mining and tunneling

 Highway Applicatons

 Transport Infrastructure (Bus station, Runway, Highway Pavements)

 Highrise building construction

  Diaphragm Walls

 Drilled Pile Wall

 Soil Nails & earth Retaintion

GFRP Bars found the best construction rebar material for highway, marine & transportation
applications.

Also Read: Monolithic Construction Technology

Advantages of GFRP Bars

 High strength to weight ratio

 Anti-corrosive material. It’s good for marine construction Application.

 Increase durability of structure.

 Better stiffness as compared to conventional rebar.

 Gives enough time to alert before brittle or sudden failure.

 Allow to design structural element for high load with keeping minimum sectional
area.

 Easy to Use.

 Save maintenance cost of structures.

 The serviceability performance of GFRP Bar is better as compared to conventional

steel.

 Electrically and thermally non-conductive. Due to this advantage of GFRP Bars, its
become a ideal material for sensitive building such as research facilities, health
facilities, Power Plants, Laboratoris, etc
Also Read: What is Tunnel Formwork System

GFRP Bars Vs Steel Bars

GFRP Bar Steel Bar

Light Weight Heavy Weight

Anti-corrosive Corrosive Material

Less density as compared to conventional

High Density as compared to GFRP Bar
steel

Transportation of steel bars is difficult

Ease to transport
due to the high density

Non-Conductive material Conductive Material

Ease in Use Not too difficult in Use

The cover requirement in RCC element is

The cover requirement in RCC Element
less in severe or extremely severe
is more in Severe or Extreme Severe
environmental exposure conditions due
environment conditions due to the
to the anti-corrosive properties of gfrp
corrosive property of steel rebar.
bars.

High tensile strength as compared to Less tensile strength as compared to

steel rebar gfrp bar

Less modulus of elasticity High modulus of Elasticity

Less Bending strength High bending Strength

Less ductility High Ductility

Greater Bond strength as compared to Less bond strength as compared to

steel rebar GFRP Bar
 GFRP Bar Steel Bar

Fatigue Resistance is high as compared to Less fatigue resistance as compared to

steel rebar (Approx 20 times) GFRP Bars

Reference: Replacement of steel rebars by GFRP rebars in the concrete structures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GFRP Bar?

GFRP Bar is a composite material of longitudinal fibers, Polyesters resins, and matrix
material. It is the best alternative to Conventional Steel Rebar.

What is the Price of GFRP Bars in India?

As per indiamart, GFRP Bars price is 150rs/kg in India. Its changes as per location and
traders.

What is the full form of the GFRP Bar?

Full-Form of GFRP Bar is Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars.

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