ASTM develops fiber reinforced polymer standard
ASTM International’s composite materials committee (D30) has developed a new standard specification for the latest generation of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars.
FRP bars are used as internal concrete reinforcement. According to ASTM International member Francisco De Caso, this new standard (D8505) is a milestone after several decades of collaboration to further integrate these composites into infrastructure.
“The higher performance specified for bars, results in a significant improvement of design and construction of concrete structures reinforced with non-metallic FRP bars, says De Caso, principal scientist at the University of Miami, FL. “This translates into more efficient and sustainable design of concrete structures.“
De Caso notes that the specification contains critical contributions such as the inclusion of basalt FRP bars to existing glass FRP bars, as well as higher-performance bars. He also says that the standard could be useful across the concrete construction value chain.
