What is composite reinforcement used for? Novelties in the building materials market: composite reinforcement

The construction industry is one of the fastest growing and changing industries in the world. modern world. As soon as one appears somewhere in the bowels of a specialized university, the business immediately picks up the idea. Fiberglass rebar is one such material that has literally revolutionized the construction industry. Successful combination science and engineering has made it possible to create a special material for construction and installation work, which bypasses traditional ones in quality and characteristics.

A key role in the composition of the building material is played by special fiberglass fibers, which are impregnated with a special polymer composition. The material is produced in the form of rods with a diameter of 4 to 18 mm. The length can reach 12 meters. The main "feature" of the material is its multi-layered and special polymer "impregnation".

For your information! Fiberglass rebars are usually supplied in coils that look like a large coil of thick cord or wire. However, if the diameter of the product is greater than 10 mm, it is sold only in bars.

In the literature and GOST, two abbreviations are mentioned, indicating the same material: SPA or ASP. Both abbreviations are equivalent.

The rod consists of two layers:

• 1 layer - inner core. It is based on fiberglass fibers, located strictly parallel to each other (it is no coincidence that we compared the reinforcement with a rigid wire), or in the form of a “pigtail”. These threads are thin, but surprisingly strong, they are soldered to each other with a special polymer composition. It is these fibers that provide the main characteristics of the product.
• 2 layer - outer. The “shell” can be a fine-grained abrasive, specially sprayed, or fibers, this is the so-called reinforcing winding.

The main characteristics for this material are most often called:

• diameter - the indicator affects the calculation of the ultimate strength of the product for bending and stretching;
• weight. By the way, this indicator favorably distinguishes fiberglass from other products, in particular metal fittings;
• winding step. The characteristic is relevant for ASP with a relief coating.

Interesting fact! Fiberglass is 9 times lighter than metal rods.

Applications and types of fiberglass reinforcement

The use of fiberglass reinforcement is quite wide. Due to the possibility of using not only rods, but also a reinforcing mesh, it is used in the construction and erection of various, sometimes very complex geometries. Moreover, the dimensions finished structures can be very different.

In addition, fiberglass reinforcement can be used in:

• road construction and pavement reinforcement;
• strengthening masonry and other block-type building materials;
• reinforcement and;
• strengthening and fencing structures, poured.

Advice! In the dacha economy, fiberglass reinforcement is useful in the construction of outbuildings, aviaries, as well as greenhouses and greenhouses. It can be used as support structures for tying plants, as a base for decorative trellises.

Options for using SPA in construction and gardening.

Production and requirements for fiberglass reinforcement

Like any technically complex production, the creation of high-strength reinforcement is a labor-intensive and expensive process. It is necessary to use high-precision equipment to create a special mixture.

All the main elements of the SPA production line are shown in the diagram:

Pros and cons of composite fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement is considered the most promising material used in the construction of reinforcing structures and frames. Benefits include:

• high resistance to corrosion;
• low thermal conductivity;
• durability;
• light weight;
• 3.5 times stronger than metal;
• universality;
• tensile strength;
• does not conduct current;
• not afraid of frost;
• seamlessness;
• does not require welding.

Among the disadvantages:

• little elasticity,
• low thermal stability.

What to look for when choosing

Due to the large number of sizes, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of use and the load on the material. That is why, immediately when buying, pay attention to the following points:

• variant of the design of the top layer and the quality of the winding of the reinforcing tape;
• diameter and absence of chips and damage on sections;
• Colour. It must be uniform. The shade must match the description in the documentation;
• availability of documents of compliance with GOST.

When choosing a SPA, it is best to initially find out the reputation of the manufacturer of this material, for which you need to read reviews on the Web and in other sources of information.

Which reinforcement is better: metal or fiberglass

Perhaps, if we compare these two materials, the usual metal material significantly loses in quality, but wins in price. In this case, you should pay attention to the scope. And also study the comparative characteristics.

Leading manufacturers

There are about 10 proven manufacturers of fiberglass reinforcement, which managed to prove themselves in this market segment. Moreover, enterprises exist in almost all major geographical areas: the central part of Russia, as well as Siberia, the Urals. Let's name the largest of them:

• SPC "Spetspolimer", NPK "ARMASTEK", Moscow Plant of Composite Materials. (Moscow and Moscow Region);
• Leader-Composite (St. Petersburg and Leningrad region)
• "Yaroslavl Plant of Composites";
• "Uralteplostroy", LLC "UZKT", LLC "Elpromtekh", LLC NPF "UralSpetsArmatura" (Yekaterinburg);
• "Volga Armature" (Saratov).

Price review and user reviews of composite fiberglass reinforcement

The cost of the material is calculated based on the price for running meter. The final cost is affected by both the quality of the raw material, its composition and the number of layers, as well as the diameter of the proposed workpiece. Let's present the average data for September 2018 in rubles.

If we talk about the features of using the material and reviews about it, experts note high quality material and sufficient with it. Due to the high wear-resistant qualities, fiberglass reinforcement has gained its fans among both professional builders and among home craftsmen.

However, there are those who are suspicious of the material.

Feedback on the use of fiberglass reinforcement:

Read more at Drom.Forum: https://forums.drom.ru/house/t1151870250-p3.html

And if you have your own opinion regarding the use of this material in construction, its advantages and disadvantages, share your opinion with other readers of the site.

Fiberglass reinforcement, which appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, has become worthy alternative traditional bars made of metal. Glass fittings, as this material is also called, has many unique characteristics that distinguish it favorably from other products of this purpose. Meanwhile, the choice should be approached very carefully.

What is fiberglass reinforcement

Fiberglass reinforcement, if you understand it design features, is a non-metallic rod, on the surface of which a glass fiber winding is applied. The diameter of the spiral profile of reinforcement made of composite materials can vary in the range of 4–18 mm. If the diameter of a bar of such reinforcement does not exceed 10 mm, then it is released to the customer in coils, if it exceeds, then in bars, the length of which can reach up to 12 meters.

For the manufacture of composite reinforcement can be used different types reinforcing fillers, depending on this, it is divided into several categories:

• ASK - products made on the basis of fiberglass;
• AUK - carbon composite reinforcing products;
• AKK - fittings made of combined composite materials.

In the domestic market, fiberglass reinforcement is most widely used.

Structure Features

Fiberglass rebar is not just a bar of composite material. It consists of two main parts.

• The inner core consists of parallel fiberglass fibers interconnected with a polymer resin. Some manufacturers produce rebar, the fibers of the inner barrel of which are not parallel to each other, but curled into a pigtail. It should be noted that it is the internal fiberglass rebar that forms its strength characteristics.
• The outer layer of a reinforcing bar made of fiberglass can be made in the form of a bidirectional winding of fibers of a composite material or in the form of a spraying of a fine abrasive powder.

The design of fiberglass reinforcing bars, which largely determines their technical and strength characteristics, depends on the imagination of manufacturers and the technologies used to manufacture this material.

Basic properties

Fiberglass reinforcement, according to the results of numerous studies conducted by competent organizations, has a number of characteristics that distinguish it favorably from other materials of a similar purpose.

• Fiberglass reinforcing bars have a small mass, which is 9 times less than the weight of similar metal products.
• Fiberglass reinforcement, unlike metal products, is very resistant to corrosion, perfectly resists the effects of acidic, alkaline and salty environments. If we compare the corrosion resistance of such reinforcement with similar properties of steel products, then it is 10 times higher.
• The ability to conduct heat in fiberglass reinforcement is much lower than that of metal products, which minimizes the risk of cold bridges during its use.
• Due to the fact that fiberglass reinforcement is transported much easier, and its service life is much longer than that of metal, its use is more profitable financially.
• Fiberglass reinforcement is a dielectric material that does not conduct electricity, is completely transparent to electromagnetic waves.
• It is much easier to use such material to create reinforcing structures than metal rods, for this there is no need to use welding equipment and technical devices for cutting metal.

Due to its indisputable advantages, fiberglass reinforcement, having appeared relatively recently on the domestic market, has already gained high popularity among both large construction organizations and private developers. Meanwhile, such fittings also have a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which include:

• sufficiently low modulus of elasticity;
• not too high thermal stability.

The low modulus of elasticity of fiberglass reinforcement is a plus in the manufacture of frames to strengthen the foundation, but a big minus if it is used to reinforce floor slabs. If it is necessary to apply in such cases, it is to this valve that it is first necessary to carry out careful calculations.

The low thermal stability of fiberglass reinforcement is a more serious disadvantage that limits its use. Despite the fact that such reinforcement belongs to the category of self-extinguishing materials and is not capable of serving as a source of fire propagation when used in concrete structures, when high temperatures oh, she loses her strength characteristics. For this reason, such reinforcement can only be used to strengthen those structures that are not exposed to high temperatures during operation.

Another significant disadvantage of reinforcement made of fiberglass should be attributed to the fact that over time it loses its strength characteristics. This process is greatly accelerated if it is exposed to alkaline media. Meanwhile, such a drawback can be avoided if fiberglass reinforcement made with the addition of rare earth metals is used.

How and from what fiberglass reinforcement is made

Many fiberglass reinforcement is familiar not only from photos on the Internet, but also in practice in construction, but few people know how it is produced. The technological process for the production of fiberglass reinforcing bars, which is very interesting to watch on video, is easy to automate and can be implemented on the basis of both large and small manufacturing enterprises.

For the manufacture of such a building material, first of all, it is necessary to prepare raw materials, which are used as aluminoborosilicate glass. In order to give the initial raw material the required degree of ductility, it is melted in special furnaces and threads are drawn from the resulting mass, the thickness of which is 10–20 microns. The thickness of the resulting threads is so small that if you shoot them in a photo or video, then you cannot see them without enlarging the resulting image. An oil-containing composition is applied to the glass fibers using a special device. Then beams are formed from them, which are called glass roving. It is these bundles, assembled from many thin threads, that are the basis of fiberglass reinforcement and largely form its technical and strength characteristics.

After the fiberglass filaments are prepared, they are fed to the production line, where they are turned into reinforcing bars of various diameters and lengths. Further technological process, which you can get acquainted with by numerous videos on the Internet, is as follows.

• Through special equipment (creel) the threads are fed to stretching device, which simultaneously performs two tasks: equalizes the stress present in the glass fibers, arranges them in a certain sequence and forms the future reinforcing bar.
• Bundles of threads, on the surface of which an oil-containing composition was previously applied, are blown over with hot air, which is necessary not only for drying them, but also for slight heating.
• The bundles of threads heated to the required temperature are lowered into special baths where they are impregnated binder also heated to a certain temperature.
• Then the bundles of threads are passed through the mechanism, with the help of which the final formation of the reinforcing bar of the required diameter is performed.
• If the reinforcement is made not with a smooth, but with a relief profile, then immediately after leaving the calibration mechanism, bundles of glass fibers are wound onto the main rod.
• To speed up the process of polymerization of binder resins, the finished reinforcing bar is fed into a tunnel furnace, before entering which a layer of fine sand is applied to the bars produced without winding.
• After leaving the furnace, when the fiberglass reinforcement is almost ready, the rods are cooled with running water and fed for cutting or to the mechanism for winding them into coils.

Thus, the technological process of manufacturing fiberglass reinforcement is not so complicated, which can be judged even from a photo or video of its individual stages. Meanwhile, such a process requires the use of special equipment and strict adherence to all modes.

In the video below, you can more clearly see the production process of composite glass fittings using the example of the TLKA-2 production line.

Parameters - weight, diameter, winding pitch

Reinforcement, for the manufacture of which fiberglass is used, is characterized by a number of parameters that determine the scope of its application. The most significant are:

• weight of one linear meter of reinforcing bar;
• for products with a relief profile - the step of winding fiberglass bundles on their surface;
• rebar diameter.

To date, reinforcement with a relief profile is produced mainly with a winding pitch of 15 mm.

The outer diameter of the reinforcing bar is characterized by a number that is assigned to the product in accordance with the Specifications for the production of such products. In accordance with TU, fiberglass reinforcing bars are now produced under the following numbers: 4; five; 5.5; 6; 7; eight; 10; 12; fourteen; 16; 18. The weight of a running meter of fiberglass reinforcing bars on the modern market varies between 0.02–0.42 kg.

Types of fiberglass reinforcement and its scope

Reinforcement, for the production of which fiberglass is used, has many varieties that differ not only in diameter and profile shape (smooth and corrugated), but also in the area of ​​\u200b\u200buse. So, experts distinguish fiberglass reinforcement:

• working;
• mounting;
• distribution;
• specially designed for reinforcing concrete structures.

Depending on the tasks to be solved, such reinforcement can be used in the form of:

• piece bars;
• reinforcing mesh elements;
• reinforcing cages various designs and dimensions.

Despite the fact that reinforcement made of fiberglass has recently appeared on the domestic market, enterprises, construction companies and individuals are already quite actively using it to solve various tasks. Thus, the use of fiberglass reinforcement in construction is gaining popularity. It is used to reinforce foundations and other concrete structures ( drainage wells, walls, etc.), it is used to strengthen masonry made of bricks and block materials. The technical characteristics of fiberglass reinforcement make it possible to successfully use it in road construction: for reinforcing the roadway, strengthening embankments and weak foundations, and creating monolithic concrete foundations.

Individuals who are self-employed in the construction of their own personal plot or in the country, also managed to appreciate the merits of this material. The experience of using fiberglass reinforcement in dachas and gardens of private houses as arcs for the construction of greenhouses is interesting. On the Internet you can find many photos of such neat and reliable structures that are not subject to corrosion, are easy to install and just as easy to dismantle.

The big advantage of using such material (especially for individuals) is the ease of its transportation. Fiberglass rebar wound in a compact coil can be taken away even for passenger car, which cannot be said about metal products.

Which is better - fiberglass or steel?

To answer the question of which reinforcement is better to use - steel or fiberglass - one should compare the main parameters of these materials.

• If reinforcing bars made of steel have both elasticity and plasticity, then fiberglass products have only elasticity.
• In terms of tensile strength, fiberglass products are significantly superior to metal products: 1300 and 390 MPa, respectively.
• Fiberglass is also more preferable in terms of thermal conductivity: 0.35 W / m * C0 - against 46 for steel.
• The density of reinforcing bars made of steel is 7850 kg/m3, fiberglass - 1900 kg/m3.
• Fiberglass products, in contrast to steel reinforcing bars, have exceptional corrosion resistance.
• Fiberglass is a dielectric material, so products made from it do not conduct electric current, they are completely transparent to electromagnetic waves, which is especially important in the construction of structures for a specific purpose (laboratories, research centers, etc.).

Meanwhile, fiberglass products do not work well in bending, which limits their use for reinforcing floor slabs and other heavily loaded concrete structures. Economic expediency The advantage of using reinforcing bars made of composite materials is that they can be purchased in exactly the quantity that you need, which makes their use virtually waste-free.

Let's summarize all of the above. Even taking into account all the unique characteristics of composite reinforcement, it should be used very deliberately and only in those areas where this material performs best. It is undesirable to use such reinforcement to strengthen concrete structures, which during operation will experience very serious loads that can cause its destruction. In all other cases, the use of fiberglass reinforcement and other composite materials has proven to be effective.

Composite reinforcement, which appeared not so long ago, has already managed to win back the lion's share of the construction market. In our article, we will talk about what it consists of, how it differs from traditional metal and where it is used, and also consider the most common myths.

Composite rebar was invented over 30 years ago, however wide use received only in the last few years. Due to its technical and operational characteristics, such a material is quite capable of competing with classic steel reinforcing bars.

Reinforcement made of composites appearance it resembles steel, but it is made of fibers impregnated with special binders-hardeners. During the manufacturing process, ribs are formed on the rods or a sand coating is sprayed to improve adhesion to concrete.

For the production of fittings, several types of composite fibers are used:

1. Fiberglass with the addition of thermosetting resins - fiberglass reinforcement.
2. Basalt fiber with the addition of resins - basalt plastic reinforcement.
3. Carbon fiber (carbon) - carbon fiber reinforcement.
4. Kevlar thread from DuPont - Kevlar reinforcement.

The last two types are used extremely rarely and mainly abroad. The compositions of hydrocarbon plastics and Kevlar were developed for use in the space and military industries, so they are characterized by both high strength and sky-high price.

Civil engineering prefers fiberglass reinforcement, which is optimal in terms of cost and range of applications.

Advantages and disadvantages of composite reinforcement

The most vulnerable point of reinforced concrete products are metal reinforcing inserts, corroded. Treatment with primers or the use of alloys does not completely solve the problem - sooner or later the metal will rust, destroying the concrete. Fiberglass reinforcement is not affected by aggressive environments, which is just one of the many advantages:

1. The tensile strength indicators exceed the characteristics of metal by almost three times.
2. In terms of equal strength, composite reinforcement weighs 9-11 times less.
3. The material is not only inexpensive, but also allows you to significantly save on loading and transportation.
4. Unlike metal, it does not form cold bridges, reducing heat loss.
5. Durability and resistance to temperature extremes.
6. It has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of concrete, which reduces the risk of defects and cracks.
7. Completely dielectric and radio transparent.
8. It can be produced both in the form of rods and wound into coils.

Tests also show the other side of the coin - the disadvantages of composite reinforcement:

1. The low modulus of elasticity requires additional calculations when using such reinforcement in floor slabs.
2. Low fire resistance is due to the fact that composites simply melt under the influence of high temperatures, turning into a liquid.
3. Inability to use welding.
4. The inability to bend the finished reinforcement on the object.

It should be noted that all negative nuances are successfully solved by manufacturers and design engineers: when erecting structures with a high load, special surveys and calculations are carried out, to increase heat resistance, additional processing concrete compositions and the reinforcement itself, all curved parts are manufactured at factories according to projects.

Comparative characteristics of metal and composite reinforcement

Subject to building codes Composite reinforcement can replace metal reinforcement in all areas of application:

1. Cottage construction: any kind of foundations and flexible connections for walls.
2. Concrete structures in industrial buildings and multi-storey buildings.
3. Production of heavy and light concrete.
4. Layered brickwork of various types.
5. Bank protection and construction of coastal structures (not afraid of contact with water).
6. Laying the roadway (increases the service life by a third).
7. Creation of seismic belts (recommended for use in high vibration areas).
8. Construction of monolithic buildings using fixed formwork.
9. Electrification (lighting poles and power lines).
10. Manufacture of railway sleepers.

The characteristics of composite reinforcement are most clearly presented in comparison with metal counterparts:

Considering the expediency of buying composite reinforcement and comparing its cost with metal, many pay attention only to the price of a running meter. ROCKBAR (manufacturer of fiberglass rebars), together with the University of Sheffield (UK), conducted comparative tests for ultimate strength and strength of materials, which resulted in a table of equal strength replacement:

Note: prices are taken from the official websites of manufacturers, in retail chains they may differ slightly upwards.

Simple calculations show that savings when buying fittings made of composite materials can reach up to 2 times compared to metal ones. Do not forget about other items of expenditure:

• saving on delivery due to lightness and compactness;
• savings on loading and unloading - no need to hire workers;
• savings on consumables- fiberglass can be cut with wire cutters or a bolt cutter;
• savings on scraps - rebar in coils is cut according to required dimensions no waste.

Caution: unscrupulous manufacturers

The introduction of innovations in the building materials market always goes “with a creak”. Composite reinforcement is no exception. On the one hand, many large and small manufacturers have appeared. On the other hand, all factories operate on their own specifications and try to lure the buyer with cunning tricks. Consider the most common myths.

Myth: Our products are better because we add secret ingredients (which also give an atypical bright color).

Fact: Pigmentation does not affect strength, its only plus is aesthetics. Moreover, an incorrectly selected pigment can impair performance. Everybody specifications must be documented in test reports.

Myth: The more often the winding ribs are located, the stronger the reinforcement.

Fact: Winding ribs serve to increase adhesion with the concrete composition and do not affect the rupture, strength and compression of the reinforcement in any way. The only exception is a sandy coating, which evenly distributes the load along the entire length of the rod.

Myth: Fiberglass reinforcement can be broken by hand, what kind of strength can we talk about?

Fact: Reinforcement made of composite materials works on longitudinal, not transverse loads.

Unfortunately, there are no GOSTs for composite reinforcement yet. Therefore, choose products from trusted manufacturers, ask the seller for certificates and test reports, compare them with the above indicators and do not be fooled by the tempting low cost.

Olga Danyushkina, rmnt.ru

The development of composite reinforcement was carried out in the last century, but it has become expedient to produce and use it only recently.

This was facilitated by the availability of raw materials and the introduction of new technologies in the manufacturing process. Often such products are called fiberglass or basalt plastic.

Basically different definitions are given due to the difference in the combinations of the raw materials used. But this does not affect the quality and durability of products. It differs from steel counterparts in appearance.

Composition and features

The material is a building bar similar to steel rebar, but made from the following components:

- glass;

- basalt;

— carbon;

- aramid;

- polymer additives.

glass products light color with a yellowish tint. Basalt and carbon rods are black. Periodic section, as in metal products, provides strength to the reinforced concrete structure. Some manufacturers include colored pigments in the composition. This fact does not affect the properties and characteristics.

Read also: Heat-insulating paint: application, composition, advantages and disadvantages, types, application features

Types of composite reinforcement

The classification of types of composite reinforcement directly depends on the main component in the composition.

ABP (basalt product) produced using basalt fibers and resins of organic origin, which act as a binding element. A distinctive quality of the species is resistance to aggressive substances and environments (alkalis, salts, gases).

ASP (fiberglass product) obtained by mixing fiberglass and thermosetting resins. The advantage of this type is high strength with low weight.

AUP (carbon fiber product) is based on hydrocarbons. It has high strength, but due to the high cost this species did not receive wide demand.

AKK (combination product) made on the basis of basalt and fiberglass. Differs in high indicators of wear resistance and wide scope.

Advantages of composite reinforcement

Composite reinforcement has rapidly gained popularity in the construction market. This is due to its technical performance and durability. Advantageous qualities include:

- does not corrode;

- moisture resistance;

— long operational period;

- strength indicators exceeding metal counterparts;

- low thermal conductivity, excluding the formation of cold bridges in the concrete structure;

Read also: Moisture-resistant drywall Knauf: advantages, features of use

- dielectricity, which excludes interference during the passage of radio waves;

- convenient transportation due to low weight and the ability to transport the product in bays;

- affordable price.

Scope of composite reinforcement

The material is actively used in various construction works:

When laying the foundation of buildings, especially in those that are operated in an aggressive environment;

In reinforcing structures of foundations and load-bearing walls;

In private construction;

For reinforcing the roadway;

To strengthen the slopes of embankments;

For the manufacture of a connecting structure during the construction of buildings;

For strengthening the soil in mines, etc.

Features of structural reinforcement with composite reinforcement

When reinforcing the structure with a composite material, there are no difficulties. Masters in the usual way calculate the diameter of the rods and the parameters of the cells, taking into account bearing capacity designs. The frame is made using a binding wire or electrical plastic clamps. To make wire connections, you will need a special hook and knitting machine automatic type. Clamps are attached manually. It is also allowed to connect the reinforcement elements with plastic clips. Use familiar welding machine on a dielectric material is not possible.