Fiber-reinforced plastics or polymers (FRPs) have many industrial uses. We’ve used it in steel tank repairs, concrete reinforcement of old buildings, and tanker and trailer linings. Steel is especially prone to corrosion, but concrete, too, can fail under harsh conditions such as high salinity or high temperatures. It’s forced the industry to look for other options to maintain infrastructure. Read more »
Concrete is a remarkable material widely used throughout the world in all sorts of building projects and containers. Concrete is a durable material composed of fine and coarse aggregate that is bonded together with cement paste and cured over time, forming a strong and stable surface. Read more »
This post takes a look at two projects that show the power of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) for concrete strengthening and tank repair projects. The projects come from two very different sectors: One was undertaken by a municipality to head off problems with its aqueduct system, while the other was executed for the benefit of a natural gas plant’s construction team. Still, both serve as valuable examples of FRP’s uses. Read more »
Concrete storage tanks are widely used for the storage of water in many applications including drinking water, agricultural irrigation water, fire suppression, agricultural watering for plants and livestock, food preparation, chemical manufacturing, stormwater detention, and storage. Other water tank materials in use include plastics, fiberglass, and steel. Concrete storage tanks offer cost-effective long-term water storage in both regular and eco-sensitive locations. Concrete is exceptionally durable and when water is stored in a concrete tank, it remains clear and free of algae, does not emit order nor alter its taste. However, water tanks naturally age over time and eventually, leaks can happen. Then, it is time to secure expert tank leak repair services. Read more »
Repairing aging concrete infrastructure requires the striking of a delicate balance: The repairs need to be done in a reliable fashion, yet if they become too expensive, they can wreck the budget of an industrial or municipal project. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can help strike that balance, delivering successful results at an affordable rate. Read more »
For the past 25 years or so, Fiber Reinforced Polymers (or fiber-reinforced plastics) have been gaining in usage in the U.S. for the purpose of adding considerable strength to structures made of concrete, wood, masonry, and steel. Since it was discovered that FRP concrete strengthening was at least eight times more effective than steel-reinforced structures, the process has surged into popularity in this country. In essence, high-strength fibers such as steel, glass, or carbon are combined with a polymer matrix, which protects the fibers and binds them together, thus creating a super-strong reinforcing substance. Read more »
To function at their best and remain in service for a long period of time, water tanks require regular maintenance and protection measures. This post takes a look at the factors that can damage water tanks as well as the concrete strengthening techniques available to stop or slow that damage. Read more »
Here we look at a San Francisco historical building currently occupied by a restaurant that required reinforcement for some old concrete sections. Read more »
Image via Unsplash
There is a unique feature of the building at One Rincon Hill in the city of San Francisco, which is its Bay Area firewater tank, situated atop the high-rise building. Although it’s not the largest building in that city, One Rincon is definitely the tallest building outside the main business district, and it can easily be seen against the skyline, with its rounded cylindrical top. This building stands nearly 700 feet above San Francisco Bay, and it contains a feature that makes this high-rise tower very unique, the water tank which holds 50,000 gallons. Read more »
Fiber-reinforced composites for tank linings are gaining widespread popularity these days, as more and more people discover their inherent strength, resistance to corrosion, and tolerance of high temperatures. New composites are being developed which increase the already considerable beneficial properties offered by fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), and similar composites. As a result, these materials are beginning to be used in a number of applications which were once dominated by metals and alloys, especially since the fiber-reinforced tank repair products tend to be considerably less expensive than metals are.
There is a high demand globally for products which are extremely tough and able to withstand severe weather, as well as providing a great deal of strength. The same applications frequently call for materials which are highly resistant to corrosion, because normal weathering can cause corrosion, and because corrosive materials are being stored, for instance various types of chemicals tanks.
There are also many cases where products are called for which have a tremendous tolerance for high temperatures, because of conditions which they are exposed to. Fiber-reinforced products manage to provide all these characteristics at a very high level, and have already been shown to perform well in applications, such as concrete strengthening and tank liner repairs, where they’ve been used. Perhaps best of all, these highly desirable characteristics can be obtained in products which are far less expensive than the metal-based products which have been most often used, up to this point.
With considerable research and development leading to the creation of some ultra-strong, highly resistant composites such as composite/concrete, a number of bridges have been constructed in the states of Maine, Illinois, and New Jersey which have taken advantage of these new materials. Opportunities have arisen for the fabrication of pre-manufactured stay-in-place (SIP) forms which might formerly have been satisfied by concrete strengthening solutions. The rehabilitation of steel culverts in some areas has been accomplished by the usage of composite liners, which replace culverts degraded by rust, corrosion, and a general weakening of structures.
Another very strong market for fiber-reinforced materials is in the area of ducts, piping, and tanks which contain highly corrosive chemicals and other substances. Although this market has been dominated by metal-based products in the past, fiber-reinforced products are beginning to make inroads into the market, as its effectiveness and relatively cheaper cost becomes more widely recognized. This can be particularly useful in specific applications such as bleach transport, which is currently done largely via railway cars. A very viable alternative is emerging in which high-concentration bleach is shipped via FRP-lined cargo trucks which are safer for the environment, and cause less disruption in cities they pass through.
Given the fact that FRP-based products have already proven to provide superior performance, even under some very stressful conditions, and that they are cheaper to use than metal-based products, it seems apparent that the future for FRP-based products is rosy indeed. Further research and development will undoubtedly discover even more capable products, and as these are put to use, a powerful new alternative to metal-based products will gain greater acceptance.
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