{"id":39,"date":"2025-12-09T13:51:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atconsulting.com.au\/_staging\/?post_type=strength&p=39"},"modified":"2026-01-12T02:29:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T02:29:30","slug":"glass-fibre-reinforced-polymer-gfrp","status":"publish","type":"strength","link":"https:\/\/atconsulting.com.au\/_staging\/strength\/glass-fibre-reinforced-polymer-gfrp\/","title":{"rendered":"Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Pioneering the design and use of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rods as reinforcement in concrete in Australia for over a decade. <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Leading the Way in Corrosion-Resistant Concrete with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Airey Taylor Consulting have pioneered the design and use of\u00a0glass fibre reinforced polymer\u00a0(GFRP) rods as reinforcement in concrete in Australia for over a decade. After learning of the use of the material in Canada, we initiated research in conjunction with University of Western Australia in 2011 using GFRP bars as concrete compression members for internal reinforcement in concrete.<\/p>\n

This world-first research on the use of GFRP in compression members was published in 2012. Corrosion tests undertaken by Airey Taylor Consulting and the University of Western Australia prove that GFRP bars are not subject to the same type of corrosion displayed by steel. Test results then published by the University of Sherbrooke in Canada in 2013 confirmed that GFRP is not subject to the same type of corrosion as steel so it dramatically extends the life of structures over any other load bearing material.<\/p>\n

As an island nation with 85 percent of our population living near the coast, this technology has relevance for Australia.<\/p>\n

Concrete in coastal or quasi-marine (riverside) environments suffers from salt ingress. Salt causes the steel reinforcement in concrete to rust. This in turn causes the concrete cover over the reinforcement to spall, discolour and crack. This “concrete cancer” can reduce structural lifespan by decades and may require expensive maintenance during the entire life to prevent or treat it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Durable, Efficient Reinforcement for Challenging Environments<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

GFRP rods allow for the reduction in concrete strength and amount of cover required while eliminating any need for expensive alternative protections. The rods are lighter and easier to transport than steel; although requiring gloves and masks for installation.<\/p>\n

Airey Taylor Consulting use GFRP in preference to other durability measures in settings where concrete cancer can be anticipated. Examples include balconies of multistorey accommodation in riverside projects in South Perth (both new and remedial);\u00a0the recently completed entrance sculpture for the Rottnest ferries\u00a0on Thomson Bay;\u00a0jetties and boardwalks such as Dundas Point in Applecross; and poolside splash zone areas in both leisure\/recreation centres and accommodation projects.<\/p>\n

The recent increase to steel prices places GFRP in the happy position of being comparable in cost and offering far superior performance to steel reinforcement. There are four distributors of the product in Australia, and custom shapes can be designed and ordered with a two week lead time.<\/p>\n

Airey Taylor Consulting have presented papers and delivered presentations to national audiences in 2021 at the\u00a0Concrete Institute of Australia biennial conference<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Engineers Australia (with 437 Engineers attending via livestream)<\/a>. Our knowledge leads the industry nationally in the design and use of this solution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The advantages of GFRP reinforcement <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Airey Taylor Consulting will only recommend GFRP if the performance suits, as there are technical considerations around flexion (e value) and heat resistance that need to be specifically assessed on a project by project basis.<\/p>

The advantages of GFRP reinforcement as a substitute for traditional steel reinforcing bars:<\/p>