FRP Concrete Strengthening – Strength and Corrosion Resistance

For the past 25 years or so, Fiber Reinforced Polymers (or fiber-reinforced plastics) have been gaining in usage in the U.S. for the purpose of adding considerable strength to structures made of concrete, wood, masonry, and steel. Since it was discovered that FRP concrete strengthening was at least eight times more effective than steel-reinforced structures, the process has surged into popularity in this country. In essence, high-strength fibers such as steel, glass, or carbon are combined with a polymer matrix, which protects the fibers and binds them together, thus creating a super-strong reinforcing substance. Read more »

Bay Area Tank Inspection and Protective Coating Considerations

To function at their best and remain in service for a long period of time, water tanks require regular maintenance and protection measures. This post takes a look at the factors that can damage water tanks as well as the concrete strengthening techniques available to stop or slow that damage. Read more »

Reinforcing Concrete with FRP wraps in Historical San Francisco Building

Here we look at a San Francisco historical building currently occupied by a restaurant that required reinforcement for some old concrete sections. Read more »

Image via Unsplash

One Rincon Hill, San Francisco Firewater Tank Dual Purpose Design

There is a unique feature of the building at One Rincon Hill in the city of San Francisco, which is its Bay Area firewater tank, situated atop the high-rise building. Although it’s not the largest building in that city, One Rincon is definitely the tallest building outside the main business district, and it can easily be seen against the skyline, with its rounded cylindrical top. This building stands nearly 700 feet above San Francisco Bay, and it contains a feature that makes this high-rise tower very unique, the water tank which holds 50,000 gallons. Read more »

Fiber-reinforced composites for tank linings are gaining widespread popularity these days, as more and more people discover their inherent strength, resistance to corrosion, and tolerance of high temperatures. New composites are being developed which increase the already considerable beneficial properties offered by fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), and similar composites. As a result, these materials are beginning to be used in a number of applications which were once dominated by metals and alloys, especially since the fiber-reinforced tank repair products tend to be considerably less expensive than metals are.

Benefits of FRP Tank Lining Repairs

There is a high demand globally for products which are extremely tough and able to withstand severe weather, as well as providing a great deal of strength. The same applications frequently call for materials which are highly resistant to corrosion, because normal weathering can cause corrosion, and because corrosive materials are being stored, for instance various types of chemicals tanks.

There are also many cases where products are called for which have a tremendous tolerance for high temperatures, because of conditions which they are exposed to. Fiber-reinforced products manage to provide all these characteristics at a very high level, and have already been shown to perform well in applications, such as concrete strengthening and tank liner repairs, where they’ve been used. Perhaps best of all, these highly desirable characteristics can be obtained in products which are far less expensive than the metal-based products which have been most often used, up to this point.

FRP Repairs to infrastructure, linings, and reinforcement

With considerable research and development leading to the creation of some ultra-strong, highly resistant composites such as composite/concrete, a number of bridges have been constructed in the states of Maine, Illinois, and New Jersey which have taken advantage of these new materials. Opportunities have arisen for the fabrication of pre-manufactured stay-in-place (SIP) forms which might formerly have been satisfied by concrete strengthening solutions. The rehabilitation of steel culverts in some areas has been accomplished by the usage of composite liners, which replace culverts degraded by rust, corrosion, and a general weakening of structures.

Another very strong market for fiber-reinforced materials is in the area of ducts, piping, and tanks which contain highly corrosive chemicals and other substances. Although this market has been dominated by metal-based products in the past, fiber-reinforced products are beginning to make inroads into the market, as its effectiveness and relatively cheaper cost becomes more widely recognized. This can be particularly useful in specific applications such as bleach transport, which is currently done largely via railway cars. A very viable alternative is emerging in which high-concentration bleach is shipped via FRP-lined cargo trucks which are safer for the environment, and cause less disruption in cities they pass through.

Given the fact that FRP-based products have already proven to provide superior performance, even under some very stressful conditions, and that they are cheaper to use than metal-based products, it seems apparent that the future for FRP-based products is rosy indeed. Further research and development will undoubtedly discover even more capable products, and as these are put to use, a powerful new alternative to metal-based products will gain greater acceptance.

Concrete is one of the most versatile building materials in existence, and it is one of the most widely used of all construction materials, especially in applications such as concrete water tanks. However, the one drawback to using concrete might be that it is subject to degradation and cracking, and there are many forces which can contribute to that cracking. Read more »

What Makes FRP a Good Choice for Concrete Strengthening

Individually, carbon fibers are five times stronger than steel, and when those carbon fibers are impregnated with an epoxy resin, it forms a composite which makes anything it sticks to, considerably stronger. This obviously has some tremendous commercial applications, including tank leak repairs, concrete strengthening, water tank repairs in the Bay Area, and a great many construction applications. Anything in need of a low-weight, high-strength material to reinforce its natural qualities would benefit from having the CFRP composite applied to it. Here are some of the benefits of using CFRP for commercial purposes. Read more »

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. Read more »

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Proves an Effective Concrete Strengthening Solution

What is FRP?

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems have proved worthwhile in the strengthening of damaged concrete structures. They are also used for masonry structures that are scheduled for upgrading as well as for water tank repair. They were initially used in the automotive and civil industries to offer rigidity in a number of applications. FRPs are a blend of E-glass or carbon fibers and a polymer material. The reinforcement offers high-strength even though they are lightweight. Read more »

Concrete Strengthening and Protection via FRP Lining and Waterproofing Coatings

Concrete is a wonderful building material, especially for water tanks. It is cost effective, relatively durable, and versatile. However, even concrete wears out over time. This article looks at what causes concrete to degrade, how to prevent that degradation from occurring in water tanks, and other considerations to keep in mind about water tank maintenance and concrete strengthening for water tanks. Read more »