Fiberglass reinforcement is widely used in construction in the West, while in the domestic industry its use is weakly widespread. However, in Lately The popularity of this material is growing, the reason for this is the many operational advantages compared to traditional rolled metal.
This article presents fiberglass reinforcement (FRP). We will consider the technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, standard sizes and application of composite reinforcement.
1 Assortment and GOST standards
Non-metallic composite reinforcement was developed back in the USSR in the 60s, but mass production of the material was never established due to the high cost of fiberglass at that time. However, composite reinforcement was used in the construction of several large objects, including power lines in Batumi, Moscow and bridges in Khabarovsk.
To date, there is no GOST standard with technical requirements to this material (the project is under development). The main regulatory act is SNiP No. 52-01-2003 "Composite reinforcement", according to which fiberglass products can be used in construction as a replacement for rolled metal. Each manufacturer has specifications for its products, along with which test reports and approval certificates are supplied.
Composite reinforcement is produced in the diameter range of 4-20 mm. The profile of the rods can be corrugated or smooth. Depending on the material of manufacture, the following types of non-metallic products are distinguished:
- ASP - fiberglass reinforcement, made from fiberglass bound with a layer of synthetic resin;
- ABP - basalt-plastic products, in which the fiberglass core is replaced by a melt of basalt fibers;
- ASPET - products made of fiberglass and polymer thermoplastic;
- AUP - carbon fiber reinforcement.
The most common in construction are ASP and ABP; carbon fiber reinforcement is used less frequently due to lower mechanical strength material.
1.1 Areas of application
Application of sp. reinforcement in construction is practiced in the construction of residential, public and industrial buildings, as well as low-rise buildings, where ASP is used for:
- reinforcement reinforced concrete structures(walls and floor slabs);
- repair of surfaces of brick and reinforced concrete objects;
- layer-by-layer masonry of walls using flexible connection technology;
- all types (slab, strip, column);
- strengthening walls and aerated concrete blocks and installing monolithic reinforced belts.
The use of sp. is widespread. fittings and in the field of road and railway construction, in which ASP is used:
- when constructing embankments and road surfaces;
- when strengthening road slopes;
- during the construction of bridges;
- when strengthening coastlines.
Composite polymer reinforcement for reinforcing concrete structures is completely resistant to corrosion and chemically aggressive substances, which significantly expands the scope of its application.
1.2 Advantages of TSA
Composite reinforcement has the following operational advantages:
Disadvantages of s.p. reinforcement - low modulus of elasticity (4 times less than that of steel), which limits the possibility of its use in vertical reinforcement, and a tendency to lose strength when heated above 600 degrees. Please note that composite reinforcement is not subject to bending under construction site conditions— if it is necessary to use bent elements, they must be ordered separately from the manufacturer.
2 Comparison of ASP and metal analogues
We bring to your attention a comparison technical characteristics composite and steel reinforcement.
| Type of fittings | Metal | Fiberglass (FRP) |
| Material of manufacture | Steel grade 25G2S or 35 GS | Fiberglass bonded with synthetic resin |
| Weight | 7.9 kg/m 3 | 1.9 kg/m 3 |
| 360 | 1200 | |
| Modulus of elasticity (MPa) | 200 000 | 55 000 |
| Relative extension (%) | 24 | 2.3 |
| Stress-strain relationship | Curved line with yield plateau | Straight line with elastic-linear dependence until destruction |
| Linear expansion (mm/m) | 14-15 | 9-11 |
| Resistance to corrosive environments | Low, susceptible to rust | High, does not rust |
| Thermal conductivity of materials (W/mK) | 47 | 0.46 |
| Electrical conductivity | Present | Dielectric |
| Diameters | 6-80 mm | 4-20 mm |
| Measured length | 6-12 m | Arbitrary length according to customer's request |
Let's consider a comparison of interchangeable diameters of composite and metal products using the example of rods:
- A3 6 mm - ASP 4 mm;
- A3 8 mm - ASP 6 mm;
- A3 10 mm - ASP 8 mm;
- A3 12 mm - ASP 8 mm;
- A3 14 mm - ASP 10 mm;
- A3 16 mm - ASP 12 mm.
2.1 Overview of fiberglass reinforcement (video)
3 Technology for the production of composite products
Fiberglass reinforcement is made from roving (fibers of the original raw material), a binder material - polymer resin, a hardener and a hardening accelerator. The specific ratio of materials depends on temperature regime and humidity inside the production area.
Read also: what is the difference between reinforcement and what are its parameters?
The production line includes the following equipment:
- Heating hopper - this is where the fibers are heated to increase adhesion to the resin.
- Impregnation bath - the roving is impregnated with a mixture of resin and hardeners.
- Wrapper - presses raw materials through dies, through which rods of a given diameter are formed.
- Equipment for applying sand, where sand granules are evenly distributed over the surface of the rod, and excess is removed by air flow.
- A polymerization furnace, where the rods gain their design strength.
- Equipment for cooling products is a 3-5 meter long line located at the outlet of the polymerization furnace.
- Broaching equipment, cutting mechanism and installation for winding coils - finished fiberglass reinforcement is cut into sections of the required length or wound into commercial coils 50-100 m long.
There are many standard solutions on the market that include everything necessary equipment. The cost of a new line varies between 3-5 million rubles.
Medium productivity equipment is capable of producing up to 15,000 m of reinforcement during a working day.
Despite the fact that there is still debate about replacing composite reinforcement with steel, the majority chooses composite reinforcement. And not in vain, because it has undeniable advantages. Ease of installation and transportation, corrosion resistance and low thermal conductivity save almost 60% of costs when replacing metal fittings with composite ones. Reinforcement composite reinforcement produced in accordance with regulatory and technical documentation.
Production of composite reinforcement "Armplast"
The Armplast plant independently produces non-metallic composite polymer reinforcement. We create it in several designs and types - fiberglass, basalt-plastic and glass-basalt.
Fiberglass reinforcement is made from glass roving and consists of a fiberglass rod with a basalt reinforcing thread as a periodic profile.
Composite and basalt reinforcement are made from basalt roving. Composite fiberglass reinforcement, in turn, is divided into classic fiberglass reinforcement with a periodic profile, fiberglass reinforcement with a sand coating, and with a sand coating and a periodic profile. These types of composite reinforcement use sand dressing and a periodic profile for greater adhesion to concrete. Diameters above 12 mm are produced in rods of a length agreed with the customer, and diameters less than 12 mm are produced in coils.
Fiberglass reinforcement is a building material that is made from glass roving, connected using an epoxy compound based on thermoactive resins. The main feature is lightness; the mass per unit volume is only 2g/mm³. Working with fiberglass reinforcement is more convenient and economically feasible than working with metal reinforcement. Significantly lower costs are required for logistics and directly during reinforcement.
In addition, due to the fact that fiberglass does not react to aggressive environments, the reinforcement therefore protects concrete from premature destruction, thereby increasing the service life of the object. Fiberglass reinforcement reacts to temperature changes similarly to concrete, which also has a good effect on the strength of the structure.
The strength of fiberglass compared to metal is 2.5 times higher. At the same time, the thermal conductivity index is 100 times lower than the thermal conductivity index of steel. Therefore, a structure that is reinforced with fiberglass does not freeze (does not form “cold bridges”) and a building built using fiberglass will be warmer than a building based on metal reinforcement. This allows you to reduce heating costs, and therefore the material is actively used in the construction of modern energy-efficient buildings.
Another undeniable advantage that may be of interest to builders is the fact that fiberglass is a surprisingly durable material, which for 100 years after installation does not require additional repair work. This is what fiberglass reinforcement for foundations is famous for.
Fiberglass reinforcement has found its application in many areas of industry, construction, utilities:
- in construction, it is used in the construction of civil and industrial construction projects as a basis for foundations, floors, beams, as well as in the construction of earthquake-resistant belts;
- In the construction and repair of roads, reinforcement is used in the construction of embankments, road surfaces, in the construction of bridges and highway barriers. It is resistant to the effects of reagents that are applied to road surfaces (for example, de-icing reagents), so it can be used both in Moscow and in colder regions.
Fiberglass reinforcement will be an ideal basis for concrete and brick structures. It is used in the creation of supports for power lines and lighting, in the construction of road, sidewalk and fence slabs, as well as in the installation of sleepers on railway tracks. Reinforcement for floors, where a mesh of reinforcement is used, even together with metal, has become widely used.
Fiberglass is used in such building structures as monolithic foundation and foam concrete. It is also actively used in the creation of structures that must have increased resistance to chemicals, for example:
- during the construction of storage facilities for chemical waste and components;
- when installing sewerage systems, water pipelines, land reclamation systems;
- during the construction of port facilities and during the strengthening of coastlines.
Despite the uniqueness of the product, fiberglass reinforcement, the price in Moscow for which is indicated on our website, is an affordable material for both construction organizations and individuals. Its cost is 40-50% lower than the cost of steel reinforcement, which allows you to significantly reduce costs and at the same time improve the quality of constructed objects. In general, composite reinforcement can be called one of the most reliable and efficient building materials our time.
This reinforcement is made from straight strands of glass or basalt fibers (ASP and ABP, respectively), which are collected into a bundle, impregnated with a thermosetting polymer binder, molded, heated (polymerized) and cooled. The result is a monolithic rod of high strength, which, according to test results, is 3 times higher than the tensile strength of steel, and the weight, in an equal strength ratio, is 9 times less.
Standardly manufactured in the form of rods of any length, at the request of the customer. With a diameter of up to 8 mm inclusive, it can be manufactured in the form of coils (coils) containing 100 meters of reinforcement. Overall dimensions of the coil: height – up to 8 cm, diameter – up to 1 meter.
release form
With a diameter of 10 mm and 12 mm, it can be manufactured in the form of coils (coil fittings) having a length of 50 meters. Overall dimensions of the coil: height – up to 5 cm, diameter – up to 1.5 meters.
By agreement with the customer, it is possible to produce rods and coils of any length.
Can be manufactured with a smooth, construction, periodic profile:
- ASP-ABP of periodic profile, used instead of steel reinforcement class A-I II (A-400);
- ASP-ABP with a smooth profile is used instead of steel reinforcement of class A-I (A-240).
Fiberglass reinforcement is becoming more and more popular and its use is becoming more and more relevant every year, because it is a complete replacement for traditional steel rods different brands. High strength indicators, optimal performance properties, low specific gravity and low price are the factors that determine the popularity of the use of reinforcing non-metallic elements in all areas of construction.
To reduce construction costs, it is possible to use modern substitutes for traditional building materials. In our case, this is fiberglass reinforcement instead of steel.
Application
Composite fiberglass reinforcement is used for:
- foundation reinforcement;
- industrial floors;
- strip foundations in private houses, cottages, light industrial buildings and structures;
- in ceilings on corrugated sheets;
- roads and road construction;
- in land management (for example, strengthening the coastline).
Advantages of fiberglass reinforcement
The main advantage is cost reduction construction work, which is ensured due to the following factors:
- prices are 40-50% lower than for steel reinforcement;
- produced in coils of 50 and 100 meters (except for ASK 14 mm, which comes in coils of 6 m), which reduces the amount of trimmings and waste;
- easy to cut and install on site;
- loading and delivery is cheap, because... the reinforcement itself weighs 9 times less than steel.
The machine contains 8 bays (ASK 10 - Ø 10 mm) of 50 m each, which are necessary for pouring the foundation of 1 house.
At the same time, the total weight of 400 meters of reinforcement is about 48-50 kg and can be easily loaded by 1 person in 10 minutes.
For more dense placement during transportation we make bays different diameters. For example, 2 bays of 50 meters each with reinforcement 8 mm thick:
Features of fiberglass reinforcement produced by VZKM
- We produce in accordance with GOST R 31938-2012 from Advantex fiberglass from Owens Corning, which meets high European standards.
- From us you can buy fiberglass reinforcement with a diameter of 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm in coils of 50 and 100 meters.
- It is possible to produce fittings thicker than 14 mm upon special order.
- Resistance to chemical and mechanical influences - can be stored for a long time (fiberglass retains its properties for more than 80 years).
- We can produce 800,000 meters of reinforcement per month. The warehouse always has a stock of 20-60 thousand m.p. different diameters for sale.
Prices for fiberglass reinforcement VZKM
Prices are for the purchase of 1 coil of reinforcement. If you want to buy fiberglass reinforcement for more than 1 bay, then call and we will try to provide you with a more interesting price.
| Name and marking | Diameter of equal-strength metal. AIII fittings | Diameter bays, m | Price (according to GOST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASK 4 - Ø 4 mm, 100m* | 6 mm | 1.0 or 0.8 | 9 rub. |
| ASK 6 - Ø 6 mm, 100m* | 8 mm | 1.0 or 0.8 | 14 rub. |
| ASK 7 - Ø 7 mm, 50m* | 10 mm | 1.0 or 0.8 | 15 rub. |
| ASK 8 - Ø 8 mm 50m* | 12 mm | 1.0 or 0.8 | 18 rub. |
| ASK 10 - Ø 10 mm 50m* | 14 mm | 1 | 26 rub. |
| ASK 12 - Ø 12 mm 50m* | 16 mm | 1 | 36 rub. |
| ASK 14 - Ø 14 mm 6m* | 18 mm | - | 46 rub. |
Wholesale prices for fiberglass reinforcement
If you represent a construction store or a wholesale base of building materials, or you are a large construction contractor (you need at least 1000 m of reinforcement one-time or there will be regular purchases), then we can offer special much lower prices with individual delivery conditions.
Get a wholesale price list for fittings possible upon request by phone
Which appeared on construction market relatively recently, it has both advantages and disadvantages, which the consumer must be aware of. Despite the assurances of manufacturers that this product is a complete replacement for metal fittings, its use cannot be considered justified in all situations.
What is fiberglass reinforcement
The so-called composite reinforcement is a fiberglass rod around which a carbon fiber thread is wound, which serves not only to strengthen the structure of such a product, but also to ensure its reliable adhesion to the concrete mortar. This type of fittings has both pros and cons, and its use should be approached very carefully.
Plastic clamps serve as elements for fixing carbon fiber reinforcement bars to each other. Conveniently, connecting the elements of such fittings does not require the use of welding, which is undoubtedly a big plus.
When assessing the feasibility of using fiberglass reinforcement, it is necessary to consider all the pros and cons of its use in individual situations. This approach will ensure the high efficiency of this material as a means of strengthening building structures for various purposes.
If you do not take into account the characteristics of fiberglass reinforcement and do not compare them with the parameters of similar products made of metal, you can cause serious damage to the future building structure or finishing elements. That is why, before you start choosing elements for reinforcing concrete structures, you should understand in which cases the use of certain products is more appropriate.
Main advantages
Among the advantages of carbon fiber reinforcement, it is worth highlighting the following.
- An important advantage of fiberglass reinforcement is its low specific weight, which makes it possible to use it for reinforcing light structures made of cellular concrete and some other building materials. This allows you to significantly reduce the weight of structures that are reinforced with its help. Meanwhile, the weight of a conventional concrete structure when using fiberglass reinforcement will decrease slightly, since the building material itself has an impressive mass.
- Low thermal conductivity is also an advantage of fiberglass reinforcement. When using such reinforcement in concrete structures, no cold bridges are formed (which cannot be said about metal reinforcing elements), which significantly improves their thermal insulation parameters.
- The high flexibility of fiberglass reinforcement allows it to be shipped to the customer in coils, rather than cut into individual rods. Thanks to the compact form of packaging, it is much easier to transport such reinforcement, for which you can use the trunk of any passenger car, and this seriously reduces the cost of delivering the material to the construction site. The use of reinforcing elements, which are shipped not in cut rods, but in coils, also makes it possible to reduce material costs by reducing the number of overlaps. This has a positive effect on both the strength characteristics of the future concrete structure and its cost, which is especially important when performing construction work.
- The advantage of fiberglass reinforcement, such as its durability inside a concrete structure, is considered quite controversial. Metal fittings, being in an isolated state, are also not subject to negative influence external factors, which ensures durability of its use.
- Carbon fiber reinforcement is a dielectric material, which is an advantage of products made from this material. Conductive electricity metal fittings more susceptible to corrosion, which negatively affects its durability.
- Compared to metal reinforcing elements, fiberglass products are not exposed to chemically active environments. This advantage of fiberglass reinforcement is especially important in cases of construction of buildings in winter, when various salt solutions are added to the concrete, accelerating the hardening process.
- Being a dielectric, carbon fiber reinforcement does not create radio interference inside the building, unlike metal rods. This advantage is important when there are many reinforcing elements in a concrete structure. Otherwise, the use of composite reinforcement will not be a disadvantage, but it will not be so relevant.
Fiberglass reinforcement also has disadvantages, which potential consumers should also be aware of.
Main disadvantages
The disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement are associated with its following characteristics.
- The disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement include, in particular, the fact that it cannot withstand high temperatures. At the same time, it is difficult to imagine a situation where a reinforcement cage located inside concrete can be heated to a temperature of 200 degrees.
- The rather high cost is a drawback, given the fact that for the reinforcement of concrete structures it is possible to use fiberglass reinforcement of a smaller diameter in comparison with metal products.
- Carbon fiber reinforcement does not bend well. This drawback limits its use in creating reinforcing frames for concrete structures. Meanwhile, bent sections of the reinforcement frame can be made from steel elements, and then they can be extended using fiberglass rods.
- Reinforcement made of fiberglass does not withstand fracture loads well, which is very critical for concrete structures. Accordingly, their reinforcing frame must successfully withstand such loads, which reinforcement made of composite materials cannot boast of.
- Unlike metal reinforcement frames, fiberglass products have less rigidity. Because of this drawback, they do not tolerate vibration loads that occur when pouring them using a car mixer. When using this technique, the reinforcement frame is subjected to significant mechanical loads, which can cause its breakage and disruption of the spatial position of its elements, therefore quite high demands are placed on the rigidity of such concrete structures.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement, it is difficult to say how much better or worse it is made of metal. In any case, the choice of this material should be approached very reasonably, using it to solve the problems for which it is really intended.
Areas of application of fiberglass reinforcement
Reinforcement made of composite materials, the installation rules of which are easy to learn from the corresponding videos, is used in both capital and private construction. Because the capital construction carried out by qualified specialists who are well familiar with the nuances and disadvantages of using certain building materials, let us dwell on the features of using such material in the construction of private low-rise buildings.
- Reinforcement made from composite materials is successfully used to strengthen the following types of foundation structures: strip, whose height is greater than the freezing depth of the soil, and slab. The use of carbon fiber reinforcement to strengthen foundations is advisable only in cases where the structure is being built on good soil, Where concrete bases will not be subjected to fracture loads that fiberglass elements simply cannot withstand.
- Using fiberglass reinforcement, they strengthen walls whose masonry is made of brick, gas silicate and other blocks. It should be noted that, as a connecting element of walls, composite reinforcement is very popular among private developers who use it not only to strengthen masonry load-bearing structures, but also to ensure their connection with the facing partitions.
- This material is also actively used to bind elements of multilayer panels. The structure of the latter includes a layer of insulation and concrete elements, which are connected to each other using fiberglass reinforcement.
- Due to the fact that the type of reinforcement in question does not have such a disadvantage as susceptibility to corrosion, it is often used to strengthen various hydraulic structures (for example, dams and pools).
- In cases where it is necessary to effectively increase the rigidity of laminated timber beams, they are also strengthened with fiberglass reinforcement.
- This material is also used in road construction: it is used to strengthen the asphalt layer, which is subjected to increased loads during its operation.
Summarizing all of the above, it should be noted that fiberglass reinforcement can be used quite effectively, if we take into account its disadvantages and associated limitations, which are specified by the manufacturer.
Can fiberglass reinforcement replace metal counterparts?
Despite the fact that reinforcement made from composite materials is a fairly new material on the construction market, you can already find many recommendations (and even videos) on its use. Considering these recommendations, we can conclude that it is best to use fiberglass reinforcement to strengthen walls built from bricks and building blocks, as well as to connect load-bearing walls with interior partitions.