Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Commercial and public infrastructure often needs to be upgraded including strengthening of concrete elements to meet code requirements, to take on additional loads, or for seismic retrofit. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a lightweight, high-strength composite used to strengthen concrete columns, slabs, walls, and beams. Learn more about CFRP, its applications in commercial structures, and how STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES can help you effectively upgrade your structure.
What Is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer?
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer is a composite material made with carbon fiber and polymer. The carbon fibers add stiffness and strength, and the polymer acts as a structural base that protects the fibers and binds them together. Among construction materials, CFRP is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio.
The exact properties of CFRP can vary depending on a few factors, including the ratio of carbon to polymer and the type of polymer used.
Common Uses for CFRP
Carbon fiber’s high strength and light weight make it ideal for applications with limited access and space constraints.
In commercial applications, CFRP is typically used to strengthen existing structures. If the design of an existing structure is inadequate or the structure needs to support more weight than initially planned, CFRP can be used to structurally upgrade the structure.
CFRP comes in many forms, including strips, sheets, and bars. Explore some common applications for each:
- Strips: CFRP strips are often used to add strength to steel bridges and concrete structures.
- Sheets: CFRP sheets or wraps are ideal for restoring concrete or masonry. It also plays an important role in the seismic retrofit of many types of structures.
- Bars: CFRP bars are commonly to add strength to reinforced concrete structures that are already in place.
The Benefits of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
CFRP offers a range of properties that make it well-suited for commercial and public structures. Some of the benefits of the material include:
- High tensile strength: Carbon fibers are more flexible than steel or concrete, meaning CFRP can withstand more pressure without cracking.
- Fatigue resistance: The material resists degradation, so structures that use it require less maintenance overall.
- Strength against the elements: CFRP can withstand severe environmental conditions, from humidity and heavy rainfall to chemical exposure.
- Light weight: While CFRP is costlier than some other building materials, it’s light in weight. As a result, it costs less to transport and results in lower labor costs because installation requires fewer workers.
Contact Us to Learn More
At STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES, we use CFRP and other materials to improve performance and durability in commercial and public infrastructure. Our mission is to make structures stronger and last longer, and we achieve it through our products, engineering support and repair and maintenance services from our licensees.
Contact us today to learn more about our CFRP products and other strengthening systems in our product line.