Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars represent an interesting alternative to conventional steel as internal reinforcement of reinforced concrete (RC) members where some properties such as durability, magnetic transparency, insulation, are of primary concern.
Providing additional internal reinforcement by a reinforcing ratio of 1.88% exhibited outstanding performance in terms of decreased crack width, better crack distribution, and improved capacity and ductility compared to control slabs without internal ECC strips.
Fiber reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites are currently employed in the civil engineering industry as externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) of existing reinforced concrete (RC) and masonry structures and as internal reinforcement of concrete elements as an alternative to steel reinforcing bars.
The opportunity to use basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars as internal reinforcement for concrete could be beneficial in aspect of limiting the relatively high deformability.
Wall systems containing internal reinforcement, external surface reinforcement and intermittently laced reinforced concrete members and unreinforced masonry panels are considered.
External and internal reinforcement technologies were developed using carbon fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite (CFR PMC) and glass fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite (GFR PMC), respectively.
The use of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite bars as internal reinforcement for concrete is rapidly increasing especially in structures exposed to aggressive environments.
Reinforcing bars made of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) are more and more common as internal reinforcement of concrete structures and infrastructures.
When assessing existing reinforced concrete half-joints, engineers can be confronted with internal reinforcement layouts that do not correspond to the as-designed drawings and/or do not comply with current design practice.
Therefore, in order to enhance the mechanical behaviour of the beams, specimens have been strengthened using three types of reinforcement: internal reinforcement with struts, 3D external braiding and continuous wrapping by CSM reinforced mineral matrix.
Furthermore, some of the more common FRP applications in civil engineering structures and design rules are described in detail, including externally bonded FRP plates, sheets and wraps for the strengthening of reinforced concrete, steel, aluminium and timber structural members, FRP bars for the internal reinforcement of concrete, and application of FRP profiles.
