Carbon Fibre Reinforced Strengthening Systems
Vast industry experience and a strong professional team enable us to offer our clients premium remedial and preventative solutions across a broad range of projects from multi residential situations right through to high profile multi-million dollar infrastructure especially in the remediation of Concrete Spalling / Cancer.
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What is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)?
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a type of composite material consisting of carbon fiber and polymer. The carbon fiber provides the strength and stiffness while the polymer acts as a cohesive matrix to protect and hold the fibers together. Carbon fiber is a highly proven technology that has been used for years for the strengthening of concrete bridges, construction of commercial buildings and high rises, multi level parking structures, foundations, and almost anywhere extreme strength is needed. Originally developed for NASA and the U.S. Military for applications demanding extreme strength, CFRP is now applicable to many industrial, commercial, and consumer applications.
Over the past two decades, CFRP has become a notable and preferred material in many structural engineering applications. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer provides remedies for many problems associated with the deterioration of infrastructure such as bridges and buildings. It is a cost-effective solution and is proven throughout multiple industries to be a highly effective product for structural reinforcement. Using CFRP in new concrete can eliminate potential corrosion problems and substantially increase a building’s structural strength. It is a thin wall application, making it non-intrusive and easy to paint over, making it simple to hide repairs. It’s tensile strength is stronger than steel, and carbon fiber straps will not rust or deteriorate.
CFRP are manufactured as strips, bars, and sheets using different production techniques like filament winding, pultrusion, and hand lay-up processes. CFRP is a proven solution that is more cost-effective than traditional strengthening techniques.
How can I use CFRP?
Applications where carbon fiber reinforcement can be used include:
- Crack prevention or crack reduction
- Beam strengthening
- Seismic upgrading or earthquake damage repair
- Strengthening after structural modifications
- Pre-stressed strengthening
- Column strengthening
- Increase load capacities
- Compensate for construction or design defects
- Allow modification or removal of existing structural elements such as columns, walls, and slabs
In particular, CFRP can be used as the best solution to foundational problems. Typically used in basement foundation repairs, CFRP helps with horizontal wall cracks and slightly bowed walls.
What is the installation process?
The primer penetrates the concrete and epoxy filler is used to provide a smooth surface for bonding while a saturating resin is used to impregnate the fabric and bond it to the prepared substrate a protective coating is applied. Surface preparation is critical to the bond between the CFRP system and the existing concrete. Any existing deterioration or corrosion of internal reinforcement must be resolved prior to installation to prevent delamination of the concrete substrate.
The installation process is quick, low cost, and provides incredible strength. Upon completion, it requires no further attention and is incredibly low maintenance.
The use of a building or civil engineering structure may change throughout the course of its service life, as for example:
- its whole function can change
- loads can increase,
- higher building standards may be required and the structure must be made compliant.
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer must be installed under strict control by experienced contractors in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the engineer’s design.
- CFRP must be bonded to a strong, sound and level concrete surface/structure.
- Critical that the strength of the surface be extensively tested using Pull-Off Testing Equipment.
- The surface must be tested, cleaned and prepared to ensure the strongest bond.
- The bonding material must be prepared and applied to manufacturer’s instructions.
- FIRE RESISTANT coatings must also be considered for some applications.
- Engineering design advice may also be required.
- Any non-conformances may jeopardise the integrity of the whole structure.
- Compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the Engineer’s design is critical.
What is the installation process?
EXTENSIVE TESTING OF THE UNDERLYING BASE IS ESSENTIAL
We use Pull-off Testing technology to ensure bonding strength of underlying structure before application of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) structural strengthening material.
What are the benefits of using CFRP?
The most common type of carbon fibre for concrete strengthening is continuous unidirectional fibre which runs the length of the fabric and because the fibre is the main load-carrying component, the type of fibre, orientation and thickness of the fabric determines the tensile strength and stiffness.
CFRP has a tensile strength from twice to five times that of mild steel one fifth the weight.
CFRP systems are used for strengthening of concrete structures equally for flexural strengthening, shear strengthening, and column confinement and ductility improvement.
Alkali resistant
Acid resistant
Non-corrosive Grinding
Short curing time, leading to shorter application time
High ultimate strain
High fatigue resistance
Bad conductor of electricity
Non-magnetic
Lightweight
Easy to handle and install
Low aesthetic impact
Flexible, and can be easily wrapped around complex shapes
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(02) 8203 4568
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We don’t believe in shortcuts. For every project we strive to achieve total customer satisfaction with outstanding workmanship, Meticulous OH&S, Management systems, the best technologies, methods and products & open communication.
Over 40 years of experience in commercial, High Rise Residential & Infra-Structure Projects. Experts in concrete remediation, restoration, preservation and protection
FCS is fully equipped with the latest technology in: fluid containment, chemical or contamination exclusion and the rectification of any type of concrete and masonry based structures.
- Highly trained staff with vast experience in all facets
- Premium service & guaranteed quality
- Outstanding workmanship, meticulous OH&S & management
- Open communication & consultation with our clients
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