Degradation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Due to Environmental Effects

Smita Singh

Table of Contents
Introduction
Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite
Glass Fiber Reinforcement
GFRP Composite vs. Steel Reinforced Concrete
Deleterious effects of several environments on fibers and matrices
Environmental Deformations of GREP bars
- Degradation of tensile strength
- Direct shear capacity
- Predicted deflections due to creep
- Bond behavior and development length
- Effects of thermal expansion on cracking of FRP
reinforced concrete

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Introduction
The use of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites is becoming
increasingly common in construction, both in new construction and in the
repair of deteriorated structures.

Benefits of GFRPs are well-recognized: high strength-weight ratio, corrosion

and fatigue resistance; ease of handling, and ease of fabrication.

The mechanical properties of a hybrid material system may deteriorate much

faster than that suggested by the property degradation rates of the individual
components making up the hybrid system.

There is a need to make analysis on the mechanical properties of GFRP when

exposed to environmental conditions

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Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

A composite is a mixture of two or more phases
(materials). FRP is a two phase composite
constituting of matrix and reinforcement.
Matrix :
It is the continuous phase and surrounds the
reinforcements. It is made from polymer.
Bind the reinforcements (fibers/particulates) together
Transfer load to the reinforcements
Protect the reinforcements from surface damage due
to abrasion or chemical attacks.
Reinforcement :
The term reinforcement implies some property
enhancement.
It is the dispersed phase, which normally bears the
majority of stress. Different types of Fibres or
Filaments are continuous or discontinuous fibres .

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Types of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites (GFRPs)

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs)

Most common fiber used

High strength
Good water resistance
Good electric insulating properties
Low stiffness.
Good modulus at high temperatures
Excellent Siffness
More Expensive than glass
Brittle
Low electric insulating properties

Aramid fiber-reinforced polymer composites (AFRPs)

Superior resistance to damage (energy absorber)
Good in tension applications (cables, tendons)
Moderate Stiffness
More Expensive than glass
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Properties Of Continuous and Aligned GFRP, CFRP, AFRP

1 psi = 6.895kPa
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Glass Fiber Reinforcements

Glass fiber reinforcements are classified according to their

properties.

A-glass is a high-alkali glass containing 25% soda and lime, which offers
very good resistance to chemicals, but lower electrical properties.
C-glass is chemical glass, a special mixture with extremely high chemical
resistance.
E-glass is electrical grade with low alkali content. It manifests better
electrical insulation and strongly resists attack by water. More than 50% of
the glass fibers used for reinforcement is E-glass.
S-glass is a high-strength glass with a 33% higher tensile strength than Eglass.
D-glass has a low dielectric constant with superior electrical properties.
However, its mechanical properties are not so good as E-or S-glass. It is
available in limited quantities.

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GFRP vs. Steel Reinforced Concrete

Tensile Strength
GFRP bars have higher strength, than the specified yield strength fy of steel
reinforcing bars.
Modulus of Elasticity
Glass Fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars have lower modulus of elasticity than
steel bars . Hence limited tensile strength is used to control width of cracks in
tension zone at service .
Creep and Shrinkage
Creep and shrinkage behavior in GFRP-reinforced members is similar to that
in steel-reinforced members.

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GFRP vs. Steel Reinforced Concrete

(Contd.)

Shear Strength
The concrete contribution to shear strength is reduced in
beams with GFRP longitudinal reinforcement because of smaller
concrete compression zones and wider cracks
Chemical Attack
GFRP bars are non-corrosive and non-reactive to chlorides. They
experience a loss of strength with time, particularly in an alkaline
environment
Stress-Strain Behavior
The stress-strain behavior of GFRP bars is linear elastic to failure,
with no yield plateau.
Thermal Conductivity
GFRP materials have relatively lower thermal conductivity than
steel
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Deleterious effects of several environments on

fibers and matrices

Water:
Polymeric fibers and matrices absorb moisture. Moisture
absorption softens the polymers
Weak acids:
Bridges in industrialized areas may be exposed to weak acids
from acid rain and carbonization, with pH values between 4
and 7. Weak acids can attack glass fiber sand polyester
matrices.
Strong acids:
Accidental spillage may cause strong acids to come in contact
with bridge components. Strong acids can attack glass fibers,
aramid fibers and polyester and epoxy matrices.
Weak alkalis:
Concrete containing pozzolanas can have pH values between
7 and 10. Weak alkalis can attack glass fibers and polyester
matrices.
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Deleterious effects of several environments on

fibers and matrices

Strong alkalis:
Typical portland cement concretes have pH values greater than
10 and can cause degradation of glass fibers. Strong alkalis
can attack glass fibers, aramid fibers, and polyester matrices .

High temperatures:
Carbon and glass fibers are resistant to high temperatures.
However, high temperatures adversely affect aramid fibers and
polymeric matrices.

Ultraviolet radiation:
Carbon and glass fibers are resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
However, ultraviolet radiation adversely affects aramid fibers and
polymeric matrices.

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Time Dependent Deformations of GREP bars

Degradation of tensile strength

Direct shear capacity
Predicted deflections due to creep
Bond behavior and development length
Effects of thermal expansion on cracking of
FRP reinforced concrete

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Environmental Deformations of GREP bars

For determining time dependent
deformations of GREP bars,
experimental analysis was done.

Specifications of GFRP
Reinforcing Bars used:
GFRP bars provided by three
different manufacturers were used in
the experiments The bars are
identified as bar P, V1, and V2.

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Degradation of tensile strength

The tensile strength of GFRP bars degrades with time while in
contact with simulated concrete pore solution (alkaline) .
The overall average tensile strength reductions were 1 percent at 26
weeks and 7 percent at 50 weeks

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Direct shear capacity

Larger shear strength degradations are expected to occur in

GFRP bars exposed to high pH solutions
Bar types P, V1, and V2 were exposed to different alkaline and
chloride for 51, 71, and 71 weeks respectively.
GFRP bars were tested at a constant load rate in direct shear.

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Predicted deflections due to creep

Creep can be defined as the increase in length of a bar loaded with a
constant force over time, beyond the initial (elastic) deformation.
From experimental results it was observed that GFRP bars can creep
between 2 and 6 percent over six months, when stressed at about
23 percent of the ultimate strength of the bar.

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Bond behavior and development length

A set of specimens was exposed outdoors and another set was exposed indoors
under high temperature and high humidity conditions. for a period of 16 months
Results indicate that a continuously wet concrete environment may degrade the
bond properties of GFRP bars more than an outdoor exposure, by as much as 30
percent after 16 months of exposure.
Any bond strength degradation increases the required development length of a
reinforcing bar

Average slip at loaded end of 0.5 in. diameter bars at failure

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Effects of thermal expansion on cracking of GFRP

reinforced concrete
The setting temperature of the specimens was assumed to occur at
95 F (32 C).
The experimental results indicated that a typical 8 in. thick concrete
bridge deck reinforced with GFRP bars would not experience
cracking on the surface due to thermal expansion for concrete
covers of 1, 2, and 3 in. and GFRP reinforcement with a diameter
0.75 in. or smaller for conditions where a temperature rise < than 54
F(13 C) from the concrete setting temperature takes place.

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Conclusion
GFRP composites have many excellent structural
qualities and some examples are high strength to weight
ratio, material toughness, and fatigue endurance. Other
highly desirable qualities are high resistance to elevated
temperature, abrasion, corrosion, and chemical attack.
But its degradation due to environmental conditions are
needed to be considered while designing of GFRP
reinforced concrete elements.

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Thank You

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