DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Glass Fiber Reinforcement Polymer (GFRP)
30 August 2023
Table of Contents
GFRP Characteristic
GFRP DESIGN CODES
Concerns with GFRP
GFRP Conclusion
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GFRP Characteristic
GFRP in comparison with conventional reinforcement bar
GFRP is a fibre composite reinforcement bar intended to be used as substitute for the conventional reinforcement bar
in reinforced concrete.
Characteristic
GFRP (Starbar)
Steel Rebar
(MS500)
Material
Fibreglass
reinforced with
polymer based
epoxy
Steel
Ultimate tensile
strength (Mpa)
500
1,200
Modulus of
elasticity
46,700
200,000
Elongation (%)
2.2
25
Density (Kg/m3)
1,850
8,000
Corrosion
resistance
No
Yes
Cost
Lower
Higher
Cost comparison extracted from MVV Hamilton Industrial Park
Actual savings without additional 10% discount is 23%. The cost
comparison provided only limited to replacement of BRC, not
include wastages and lapping.
Extracted from CRT catalogue
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GFRP DESIGN CODES
List of ACI Codes Cover GFRP
ACI 440.11-22 : BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS
FOR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE REINFORCED WITH
GLASS FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER (GFRP) BARSCODE AND COMMENTARY (ANSI STANDARD)
ACI 440.5-08 : SPECIFICATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION WITH FIBER-REINFORCED
POLYMER REINFORCING BARS
ACI 440.1R-15 : GUIDE FOR THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURAL CONCRETE
REINFORCED WITH FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER
(FRP) BARS
ACI 440.6-08 : SPECIFICATION FOR
CARBON AND GLASS FIBER-REINFORCED
POLYMER
BAR
MATERIALS
FOR
CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT
ACI 318-19 : BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE
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ACI CODES IN RELATION TO MALAYSIA REGULATIONS
UBBL & JKR Provision for Code of Practice
Notes:
UBBL –Law 53 do not limit the usage of any Standard Specification or Code of Practice i.e.
ACI
Extracted from UBBL 1984 – amendments 2021
Extracted from JKR Standard Specification for Building Works 2020
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GFRP in ‘Perakuan Pematuhan Standard (PPS)’ under CIDB
GFRP no need to Register for PPS
Notes:
CIDB require contractor
to keep the Product
Certification License
(Starbar GFRP) issued by
Sirim QAS which comply
to JKR standard
Specification for building
works 2014 clause 7.1
Received from Starbar suppliers (CRT Manufacturing)
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Concerns with GFRP
Feedback or concerns from SDP regular consultants & independent consultant regarding GFRP
Concerns
Not recommended for moment frame zone – stated in
ACI 440.IR-15
Explanation
Potential Solutions
Not suitable for moment frame zone i.e., beams, slab,
footing, column which subject to sustain moment and
required moment distribution when some element
overstressed.
Recommend to use GFRP only for slab as not
contributed to moment frames analysis at low rise
building
Ductility
Due to its low modulus of elasticity, GFRP would not
yield before ruptures when reach ultimate strength.
Mode of failure will be sudden without pre warning
symptom.
Conservative strength reduction factor to be adopted
to provide reserve of strength.
On site flexibility
GFRP cannot be cut or bend at site. GFRP need to be
manufactured to the required size, length and shape.
Any ad hoc adjustment at site will not be possible.
Using hybrid steel & GFRP
Lapping
Lapping in narrow beams and columns is impossible
due to it cannot be bend. Might end up with enlarging
the beams & column.
Recommended to use only at slab
Design Codes
Only covers in ACI which is not a common code in
Malaysia. Resistance from consultant is expected as
most of consultant did not practice ACI.
To find consultant that familiar with ACI and can
endorsed the design
Epoxy Suitability
The suitability of the epoxy used for achieving
intended design life in our local climate must be
considered
To demonstrate the suitability
Limitation on Existing Ecosystem
Although building structure can be designed to ACI,
other ecosystem i.e., production and conformity of
concrete in Malaysia, laboratories for testing
reinforcement bar are all based on BS EN.
To find testing lab that based on ACI. CRT to revert.
Information above provided from compilation of multiple consultant feedback
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GFRP Conclusion
Development Services direction regarding GFRP for future project
SDP to consider GFRP for non-structural or light weight structures and/or small
ancillary buildings i.e. walkway and driveways should the townships plan on adopting
this product, however with the acceptance is still subjected to the project consultants.
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