Why Use Fibreglass Reinforced Polymer
Infrastructure is one of the most important and promising industries for fibreglass reinforced polymer composite applications.
To reinforce concrete, fibreglass rods in Perth, beams, and pipes are used in a variety of structures.
There are several key considerations to make before you choose a building material for your infrastructure project. Engineers should ensure that they make choices that benefit both their agency and the end users of the material.
One such material is fibreglass reinforced polymer (FRP), which can be extremely beneficial for both users and builders. Below are some reasons this material could be the right choice for you.
Production and Installation Time
It is important to consider the time it will take to design your infrastructure plan. This includes not only the entire project but each step. While time saved can translate into lower costs, you don’t want quality to be sacrificed for efficiency. FRP is a great way to achieve that balance. It can help you save time and still provide the required quality, strength, and durability.
FRP can be produced in 15 days less than precast concrete. This saves more than two weeks’ worth of labour costs and allows for less downtime when infrastructure development is taking place. FRP requires a shorter total installation time than precast concrete, which on average takes around five days more.
Engineers using FRP can finish their work during the week because of the shorter installation times. They can also choose to install FRP on weekends when there is less traffic congestion. End users will be less inconvenienced, and their commutes will be less interrupted.
Weight
FRP’s lightweight goes hand in hand with a faster installation time. FRP is about eight times lighter than reinforced concrete. It also requires less work and equipment to install. This material also requires less labour in its removal.
FRP panels are significantly lighter than precast concrete. An FRP panel weighs approximately 5,000 lbs, while a precast concrete panel weighs nearly 41,000 lbs. Lighter material is easier for workers lowers labour costs, and puts less stress on infrastructure. The infrastructure will see less wear and tear over time if the material is lighter in weight.
Corrosion Maintenance
FRP has high durability, strength, and resistance to corrosion. It is durable and long lasting and does not require ongoing maintenance. FRP is less likely to need to be repaired or maintained frequently, which helps save money and minimizes the inconvenience for end users.
FRP is durable and resists corrosion, so long-term costs are lower.
FRP is more expensive to initially install than other materials, but it can provide long-term cost savings. FRP does not cause any structural damage and is much more durable than other materials. This means that it can be used to reduce the cost of future reconstruction and repairs. Bridges and platforms made of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete can often fail within 15 to 20 years. This could lead to costly repairs or even a new investment in rebuilding. FRP is a durable construction material that won’t corrode over time.
Design Flexibility
FRP can be used for any job that requires customisation. It is engineered to exact specifications. Engineers can make panels in any size or shape, regardless of their complexity. You can choose from a variety of colours, which allows you to be creative. You can also add functional features to make installation easier.
Cost Saving
FRP structures can be very reliable and easy to maintain, but they should not be considered maintenance-free. Repairs requiring field service will be required on rare occasions. Routine inspections should be done every year to ensure that potential problems are caught early. Once an issue is identified, it should be reported to the appropriate authorities (e.g., cracks, crazing, discolouration, excessive wear, etc). A field service technician can then be dispatched to finish the repair.
Regular repairs are possible on structures made of steel, concrete, and wood, as well as brick and tile. That’s where FRP comes in. Fibreglass can be used as a patch for bridge decking. Liners can also be applied to culverts to protect more fragile materials from future damage. FRP can be used to wrap bridge piers or columns.
FRP repairs result in long-term cost savings. It is an excellent choice when protecting or repairing existing structures, as it is highly resistant to corrosion.
APT Water is Here to Help
FRP is a great material to use in infrastructure projects. It’s dynamic and can be used for almost all types of infrastructure, including pedestrian and vehicle bridges, trail and pedestrian walkways, cantilever sidewalks and rail platforms, waterfront frameworks and storage tanks and pipes, stairs, handrails, and more.
We recognise that projects can often be complicated and subject to change. Therefore, we offer full supply and delivery as well as onsite technical support for all our clients.
Get in touch now – we would love to collaborate with you to source, plan and deliver a solution that fulfils your full construction needs.