FRP Wraps Enable Concrete Strengthening and Masonry Reinforcement

FRP, which stands for fiber-reinforced polymer systems, are lightweight and strong reinforcements. To create an FRP, it is necessary to blend a polymer material with e-glass fibers or a type of combining carbon. The most typical industries to use FRP to date include aerospace, automotive, and civil. That is because these industries rely on a higher than normal strength-to-weight rigidity and ratios.

FRP Concrete Strengthening in the Construction and Retrofit Industry

People who work in this industry have recently begun expressing interest in using this type of concrete strengthening in overloaded and aged structures. Some of the specific problems that a worker in the construction and retrofit industry can solve with FRP concrete strengthening include:

• Poor design or construction
• Low quality of construction materials causing problems with durability
• Accidental loading or overloading
• Use or code changes causing an increased load requirement
• Regulations to increase lifespans on aging structures
• Blast mitigation
• Seismic retrofit
• Some examples of businesses that can benefit from this process include owners of parking garages and warehouses that have unused space not currently available for rent. This process makes it possible to open those spaces to increase revenue opportunities.

How It Works

You can determine the added strength available for your construction or retrofit project using FRP by weighing the fabric and counting the composite layers. Carbonate laminate that has undergone the pre-curing process is another option available when working with a coatings contractor in the Bay Area.

The carbon fibers first go through saturation in the original manufacturing facility. Next, a worker attaches them to the faulty structure using filler material and epoxy paste. Using a profiler for this tasks aids contractors in determining how much paste to apply to a pre-cured piece of laminate. Water tank repair is one of several ideal applications for this process.

Prepare the Surface Properly Before Starting Any Masonry Reinforcement Project

Preparing the surface to complete the work is a crucial first step. That is because a composite will fail to hold or improve performance unless it has bonded correctly with the substrate. It is necessary to first repair a concrete void, then seal and inject the cracks, and finally clean and coat any rebar that has already deteriorated. The most typical ways to prepare a surface for masonry reinforcement is through sandblasting or grinding.

Bay Area Coatings Contractor Specializing in Water Tank Repair

Tank rehabilitation in the Bay Area just got a whole lot easier with the introduction of fiber-reinforced polymer systems. The application has met enough enthusiastic response in the construction and retrofit industry that it may soon join the other three industries and use it routinely. If you have aging tanks, concrete structures, or just need an inspection to find out how your assets are holding up Picon FRP, Inc. can help. Contact us online or call 510-232-0065 today.