ACI publishes groundbreaking code for GFRP structural concrete

Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.

American Concrete Institute Committee 440 Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Reinforcement has published the first comprehensive building code covering the use of nonmetallic, glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars in structural concrete conditions. Developed by an ANSI-approved consensus process, ACI Code-440.11-22 addresses cast-in-place or precast structural systems and members, plus composite construction. 

Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions’ Mateenbar GFRP reinforcement.

GFRP reinforcement has been in use for decades as an alternative to steel reinforcement because of its non-corrosive, non-magnetic, and lightweight properties. A milestone for the technology, the new Committee 440 document mirrors ACI 318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete with provisions for designing GFRP reinforced concrete beams, one- or two-way slabs, columns, walls, connections, and foundations. Other model codes and standards can directly reference ACI Code-440.11-22 to allow for widespread, responsible use of GFRP.

“What really sets this code apart is that it is dependent on ACI 318-19,” says Past Committee 440 Chair Will Gold. “With this new code, almost any structural element covered by ACI 318 can be designed using GFRP reinforcement instead of steel reinforcement. A great deal of new research and validation was required for the code to address elements such as connections and columns. The hard work and efforts of many Committee 440 members made development of this new code possible, and it represents a tremendous accomplishment.”

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