Advantages of plastic fittings. Fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation. Plastic fittings: customer reviews

Composite reinforcement is a fairly young material that became available on the construction market not so long ago. However, due to its many advantages, it has gained wide popularity. Many manufacturers claim that such products can completely replace steel reinforcement. However, its use is not always justified. It is worth taking a closer look at both the advantages and disadvantages of the composite. This will allow you to choose a material that will last for many decades.

Composite reinforcement is a rod made of fiberglass. A carbon fiber thread is wound around it. Its use ensures not only the strength of the product, but also reliable adhesion to concrete. Such products have both a number of advantages and certain disadvantages. For this reason, it cannot always be used.

The carbon fiber rods are fastened with special clamps. There is no need to use welding for fastening. This is its significant advantage.

For each situation, it is worth considering the features of using such products. The use of this approach will ensure the reliability and efficiency of fastening various structures.

If the characteristics of the product are not taken into account sufficiently and without comparing them with metal reinforcement, the building structure can be significantly damaged if composite materials are used. For this reason, even before using composite products, it is worth finding out in what cases their use would be appropriate.

Important! It is also worth paying attention to the physical and mechanical properties of composite products.

Main advantages

Composite reinforcement has a number of positive qualities. Among its main advantages are:

The material also has many disadvantages that are worth considering in more detail.

Main disadvantages

Before purchasing fiberglass reinforcement, you should learn about all its characteristics, as well as the main disadvantages. The disadvantages of the material include:

• It does not tolerate high temperatures. However, it is quite difficult to imagine a case in which it can heat up to 200 degrees inside a concrete structure.
• High price. However, this disadvantage is offset by the possibility of using carbon fiber products with a smaller diameter than metal products.
• Composite reinforcement has poor bendability. This property imposes certain restrictions when using it to strengthen a concrete structure. However, bent sections can also be reinforced with steel rods.
• Such products do not cope well with fracture loads. This circumstance is critical for most concrete structures.
• Compared to metal reinforcement, fiberglass products are less rigid. This drawback does not allow it to withstand large vibration loads that occur when pouring concrete using a truck mixer. When this technique is used, the concrete structure is subjected to heavy loads. Due to this, design defects are possible.

If we consider the disadvantages of carbon fiber reinforcement, we cannot say that one material has an absolute advantage over another. In any case, when choosing composite products, you should be careful, take into account its pros and cons, as well as the conditions of use in a particular situation.

Important! Since the composite material does not have sufficient flexural strength, it is not suitable for knitting when laying steel bars. For this it is better to use plastic clamps.

Areas of application

Reinforcement, which is made from various composites, has found application in both private and capital construction. You can learn the rules for its installation yourself according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Since there is no point in the specifics of using composite products in capital construction, it is worth focusing on the construction of concrete foundations for private houses.

The main areas of use of fiberglass products:

To summarize the above, it is worth noting that fiberglass reinforcement can be used effectively in most cases. However, it is worth taking into account the shortcomings of the material and the associated operating limitations. They are often specified by the manufacturer.

Important! Knitting of composite reinforcement is carried out using plastic clamps.

Can fiberglass reinforcement replace metal?

Fiberglass products appeared on the construction market relatively recently. However, a lot of videos and text materials have been created on the topic of its use. If we take into account the above recommendations, it can be argued that fiberglass products can be used to strengthen walls or to connect load-bearing structures with partitions.

The main advantage of fiberglass reinforcement is that it does not rust. In addition, when using it, no cold bridges appear, which cannot be said about metal rods. The use of such material is justified in cases where the structure being constructed will not be too heavy. It is also necessary to use it only when building a house on stable ground.

The success of using such material has not yet been confirmed by long-term practice. There are not enough reviews about it yet to make a correct conclusion. For this reason, every developer takes a certain risk when using composite reinforcement. If you plan to build a structure that has high requirements for strength and stability, you should choose metal reinforcement.

conclusions

When choosing composite reinforcement to strengthen concrete structures, it is worth considering its main pros and cons. Thus, the material is lightweight, easy to transport and has fairly good strength indicators. However, it cannot withstand high fracture loads. For this reason, for buildings that have high demands in terms of strength and stability, traditional metal rods should be chosen.

This composite consists of a fiberglass cord wrapped with a carbon fiber thread. Due to the use of the latter, adhesion to concrete increases. If you plan to build a lightweight structure, you can use a composite. Typically, composite reinforcement is used in the construction of low-rise buildings. Fiberglass reinforcement is used for both strip and slab bases.

When using fiberglass, it is better to consult with experienced builders. It is especially important to enlist their help when drawing up a construction project.

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Thanks to reinforcement, it acquires increased strength and durability. Previously, exclusively metal rods tied together into a frame were used as reinforcement, but now plastic or composite reinforcement frames have appeared on sale. These products are made from basalt, carbon or glass fibers with the addition of polymer resins. Plastic fittings, the pros and cons of which will be discussed below, are produced in accordance with the requirements of the international standard, which are worth studying in more detail.

Forms of release of plastic fittings

Standard 31938-2012, which regulates technical requirements related to polymer reinforcing products, defines elements of this type as solid rods of round cross-section. The rods consist of a base, a filler and a binding component.

Composite reinforcement is produced in the form of rods with a cross-section from 4 to 32 mm. Such products are sold either cut or in bundles or coils up to 100 m long.

There are two types of plastic profile:

• Periodic – corrugated rods produced by the spiral winding method.
• Conditionally smooth. In this case, fiberglass rods are sprinkled with quartz sand, due to which the finished products have better adhesive properties.

Important! its parameters must necessarily comply with GOST 30247.0-94 for fire resistance and GOST 30403-2012 for fire safety.

To determine whether it is worth using composite materials instead of metal ones, consider the pros and cons of fiberglass reinforcement.

Advantages of composite reinforcement

The advantages of fiberglass products compared to metal counterparts include:

• Light weight. For reinforcement with plastic rods, rods of a smaller cross-section are used, due to which the overall weight of the structure is reduced by almost half. For example, a fiberglass rod with a diameter of 8 mm will weigh only 0.07 kg/l m, while a metal rod with the same cross-section weighs 0.395 kg/l m. Due to the lower weight, plastic products can be transported even in a passenger car, whereas for metal fittings you will need a heavy-duty machine.

• Corrosion resistance. Fiberglass products do not oxidize and are not affected by moisture.
• Dielectric indicators. Composite rods are radiotransparent dielectrics that are inert to electricity and radio waves. That is why plastic fittings are considered the best material for the construction of medical centers, laboratories and other specialized structures.
• Chemical resistance. Aggressive components, such as concrete laitance, bitumen, sea water, solvent or salt compounds, have a negative effect on metal profiles over time. In turn, composite materials remain inert to such “neighborhood”.
• Temperature Range. Composites can be used in conditions from -60 to +120 degrees.
• High thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity index of fiberglass is 47 W/m*K, and that of metal is 0.5 W/m*K.
• Increased strength indicators. The tensile strength of a composite material is significantly higher than that of a metal product. With the same diameter, plastic reinforcement can withstand 3-4 times more longitudinal loads.
• Long service life. Manufacturers of composite materials claim that such reinforcement will last more than 150 years. It is not yet possible to verify this, but the record recorded service life of a plastic reinforced frame was 40 years.
• Installation speed. Fiberglass rods are quickly cut with a regular grinder and tied using plastic clamps.

In addition, due to increased elasticity, plastic products are produced in almost any length.

However, we will not rush to conclusions regarding which fittings are better. To be fair, it is also worth considering the negative aspects of fiberglass rods for reinforcing monolithic concrete buildings.

Disadvantages of composite reinforcement

Among the disadvantages of composite materials used when laying reinforcement, the following are distinguished:

• Low bending elasticity. Due to the fact that plastic elements have a low elastic modulus, this can lead to deformation of the concrete structure. Elements that bend well are difficult to use. For comparison, the modulus of elasticity of a composite is 55,000 MPa, while for plastic this figure reaches 200,000 MPa.
• Small range of sizes. Today, when choosing steel reinforcement, consumers are offered a greater variety of products of different sections.
• Lack of SNiPs. Although fiberglass products are standardized according to GOST, there is no other regulatory framework for building elements of this type. Based on this, the process of designing objects becomes more complicated, since making calculations is still quite problematic.
• Inability to use in some regions. Plastic products are not recommended for use in the construction of facilities in areas where temperatures are too low in winter.
• Instability. complicated by the poor stability of plastic rods. The structure begins to wobble, so you have to resort to “tricks” to fix the frame before pouring the concrete mixture.
• Quite a high cost of the material. Fiberglass will cost 2 times more than its steel counterparts.

Speaking about plastic fittings, its pros and cons, many consider the disadvantages of these products to be such things as: the inability to use welding equipment and low resistance to heat. However, in reality, welding is practically not used when assembling a reinforced frame. The theory about the instability of the material to high temperatures is equally absurd. Fiberglass completely loses its properties when heated above 600 degrees, but not every concrete is able to withstand such temperatures.

Based on the above, it becomes obvious that when reinforcing concrete structures, in order to determine which reinforcement is more suitable - metal or fiberglass, you need to clarify for what purpose you need a reinforced frame. On the one hand, the latest composite materials clearly benefit, but from a cost point of view, it may be more profitable to purchase steel products.

Composite reinforcement(made of plastic) in recent years has often competed with conventional steel. This is explained by a number of its advantages. But this material also has its drawbacks and features of its application. Often advertising interferes with an objective assessment of both, and today the article will present the characteristics of this material, talk about its types and areas of application.

Materials for production

Today, the composite reinforcement market is represented by three types:

• fiberglass;
• basalt-plastic th;
• carbon fiber.

Fiberglass reinforcement

The first type of reinforcement is made of fiberglass. This technology appeared in the USSR about 50 years ago. Then printed wiring in radio electronics began to gain momentum, and textolite began to be used as a material for boards, when the base was fabric and the fastening composition was artificial resin. Later, fiberglass was used instead of ordinary fabric, and this expanded the use of fiberglass.

It has found its place in aircraft manufacturing, furniture and household goods, and sometimes even in the military industry. Gradually, it began to be used in construction, and fiberglass reinforcement became an excellent option for foundation frames operating in aggressive conditions - for example, in water.

The materials for fiberglass are glass and epoxy resin.

This material does not contain fiberglass, but basalt. Its manufacturing technology is simpler than glass, because glass production requires several types of raw materials, and basalt plastic- only basalt.

Compared to the previous composite, basalt plastic has a higher elastic modulus and tensile strength, has lower thermal conductivity, but is slightly heavier.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic

It is made from carbon fiber and the same resins, but this material is expensive. This is due to the production technology of carbon fiber - the basis of such materials. Technological process requires strict adherence to temperature and processing time parameters, since organic fibers serve as the raw material.

Carbon fiber plastics are actively used in the automotive industry, the production of sporting goods, aircraft and shipbuilding, and science.

Carbon fiber reinforcement is stronger than fiberglass and has a higher elastic modulus, but it is not without its drawbacks. Thus, the fragility of this material is great, which does not allow its use in long, stressed structures such as floor slabs.

Production technology of composite reinforcement

There are three ways to make composite reinforcing bars. They have English names that reflect the essence of the technology.

Needletrusion- this is the twisting of individual fibers into one with simultaneous impregnation and braiding. Allows you to reduce the cost of the process due to the high speed of such production lines. Giving the relief characteristic of reinforcement is achieved by winding with threads of a periodic profile. The thicker the reinforcement, the greater the number of threads used. Thus, rods with a cross-section of up to 10 mm are wrapped with one thread, from 10 to 18 - with two, and above - with four. Products made using this method have good adhesion to concrete due to their relief - and this despite the fact that composite materials have a low adhesion coefficient.

Method plaintrusions consists of pre-forming the main rod and then winding it spirally in two directions.

The oldest method of manufacturing composite reinforcement is pultrusion. It involves drawing molded, impregnated and already hardened fiber through a system of dies, which, at the polymerization temperature of the plastic, finally give the reinforcement the desired shape and stretch it. This method is characterized by a lower production speed and higher cost.

Comparison of quality characteristics

To compare different types of composite, as well as compare them with steel, you can use the following table.

In addition, composite reinforcement has the following properties: fragility, which distinguishes it from steel for the worse. Because of this, and also because of its instability to high temperatures, it is not used in structures experiencing strong bending loads and in places where are at risk of fires.

Advantages of the material

Composite reinforcement has a number of advantages over standard steel. These include:

• Increased tensile strength. It can be several times higher than that of steel.
• Corrosion resistance. Plastic fittings do not rust.
• Low heat transfer coefficient. Unlike metal, plastic does not create cold bridges.
• Plastic fittings do not work as an antenna - after all, it is a dielectric and a diamagnetic material. Therefore, the probability of radio interference in structures with such reinforcement is zero.
• Low specific gravity. Steel reinforcement is several times heavier.
• Temperature coefficient of expansion is the same as concrete, therefore, the formation of cracks for this reason is excluded.

Disadvantages of composite materials

The advantages of composite materials often cannot be fully realized due to the disadvantages that reveal themselves in a number of application cases. This is first of all:

• Low modulus of elasticity. Plastic reinforcement is not rigid, its elastic deformation is in low limits (that is, the ability to return to its original shape after the load is removed is lower).
• Fragility. When bending forces are applied, such reinforcement does not bend, but breaks. In this regard, it is impossible to bend it without heating.
• Low temperature resistance. Fiberglass when it reaches 150 degrees loses its positive properties, and at 300 it simply collapses, releasing toxic substances. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics have higher operating and limiting temperatures, since the roads and polymers used in their manufacture are more expensive, but their fragility is also higher than that of other types. Steel can work up to 600-750 degrees before it begins to soften and melt.

Application of composite reinforcement

Composite products have proven themselves very well where static loads are combined with an aggressive environment - for example, in hydraulic structures. Sometimes such reinforcement is used on its own, sometimes together with steel, which helps to use the advantages of both types and compensate for each other’s disadvantages.

Plastic products in the form of meshes actively replace steel ones in brickwork with cladding, where an air gap is provided. Steel mesh gradually corrodes, and sometimes this leads to disastrous consequences (a piece of cladding may fall off). The composite has no such drawback.

Equivalent replacement

If we consider the table in the previous chapter and the technical characteristics of specific products, then the issue of equivalence is decided depending on the conditions under which the reinforced concrete structure will be operated.

Yes, indeed, in terms of tensile strength, steel reinforcement in a cross section of 12 mm can be replaced with fiberglass 8 mm, and steel reinforcement 18 with fiberglass 14. But all this is relevant when this reinforcement is needed solely to keep the structure from creeping under load. Simply put, this is how you can make strip and slab foundations.

But in situations where deflection occurs, this rule does not work. Thus, to manufacture a lintel or floor slab, it is necessary to increase the number of rods by 4 times - after all, the elastic modulus of the composite is the same amount less. When the load increases in the middle of a composite-reinforced slab, it will not actually burst, but it will bend more, and the result may be pieces of concrete falling on your head.

The low elastic limit prevents the use of composites when reinforcing concrete pillars. The compressive strength of concrete is quite high, but with increased loads on a small unit area, especially if they are uneven, the modulus of elasticity can have a real impact on resistance to failure.

At the moment, the use of polymer reinforcement is regulated by SNIP 5201–2003, and changes have been made to it in the form of correction factors for calculating such reinforcement under various operating conditions (Appendix L of 2012).

Main product details

In recent years, the number of companies producing composite reinforcement (especially fiberglass) has grown many times, but the quality of their products leaves much to be desired. Here are some ways to recognize a marriage:

• Pay attention to the color of the products. High-quality fittings in one batch are always the same color. If this is not the case, it means that the temperature regime during production was violated.
• There should be no cracks or delaminations. They are easy to see in the cut.
• Fiber breaks reduce the declared characteristics. They are also visible to the naked eye.
• Uneven profile (winding). Most likely, the production used old equipment where continuity was broken.

Now the requirements for composite materials will become more stringent. Rolled steel is becoming more expensive, and plastic fittings have every chance of displacing steel from a fairly large segment of the market. Undoubtedly, less than conscientious manufacturers take advantage of this, so you should be on your guard.

After the invention of composite reinforcement, the pros and cons of the new material remained the subject of heated debate for some time. But practice has shown that the technical and operational characteristics of the material allow it to successfully compete with classical steel reinforcement. For the production of composite reinforcement, fibers impregnated with a special substance - a hardener - are used.

Like steel, composite construction has ribs to improve adhesion to concrete. In some cases, the ribs are replaced with sand spraying.

Types of composite reinforcement

The production of reinforcing rods of this type is carried out from different fibers. This feature determines the type of composite reinforcement:

Carbon fiber and Kevlar reinforcement differs from other types in its increased elastic modulus characteristics. These materials are very expensive and are mainly used in the construction of military facilities. Civil engineering prefers to use fiberglass reinforcement. It is the optimal combination of technical characteristics and affordable price.

Advantages of composite reinforcement

All consumers note the relatively light weight of the material. On average, there is only 0.07 kg per linear meter. Fiberglass reinforcement is 5 times lighter than metal. This feature simplifies the transportation of the material and its installation. During installation, it is enough to use binding wire or plastic clamps to obtain a durable structure.

In the construction of medical centers, laboratories, and testing facilities, composite reinforcement is increasingly used due to its dielectric properties. It is inert to:

• electricity;
• magnetic field;
• radio waves.

The chemical stability of the material allows it to be successfully used in areas with high alkalinity and acidity of soils. In this case, the foundation retains its properties even after partial damage to the concrete. Fiberglass reinforcement is resistant to acids and alkalis, which include sea water, solvents, bitumen, and concrete laitance. At the same time, high corrosion resistance is observed. Thermosetting resins do not react with water, so composite reinforcement is not subject to oxidation.

The possibility of concrete delamination due to sudden temperature changes when using composite reinforcement is minimized. This is explained by the similar value of the thermal expansion index for glass composite and concrete.

Disadvantages of composite material

Fiberglass reinforcement has a small number of disadvantages, but each of them imposes certain restrictions on working with it. For example, it can only be worked at temperatures above -10°C. This is due to the fact that at lower temperatures the material becomes brittle, unable to withstand even minimal loads.

With the mechanical method of pouring concrete, a structure made of composite material is characterized by poor stability. With the manual filling method, this problem is easier to deal with.

Fiberglass reinforcement has significantly lower modulus elasticity characteristics than steel. In the case of fiberglass, the elastic modulus differs by 4 times. With the slightest defect in the placement of reinforcement, this indicator can cause cracking or delamination due to the weak tensile strength of the material. Craftsmen and engineers need to carry out additional calculations when working to ensure high strength of the structure.

Fiberglass composite cannot cope with increased loads, for example, curved areas, exit points for connection to walls. Such areas require working with metal.

According to the experts, the disadvantages of the material include other features of working with it:

At the same time, manufacturers are often ready to offer ready-made curved parts of different sizes. Research to find a way to increase the strength of the composite material is still underway. There are already various options on the market that differ significantly in their properties.

Comparison of metal and composite reinforcement

The pros and cons of fiberglass reinforcement are easier to identify when comparing the main characteristics with metal. The main problem of reinforced concrete structures is the corrosion of metal elements. During the work process, they often resort to additional costs for primer mixtures, but even they are not able to protect the metal from rust. Rust causes concrete to deteriorate.

The advantage of composite materials is their tensile strength. Metal is 3 times inferior. Light weight saves on shipping and labor when loading or unloading. If composite rods are cut by specialists directly at the construction site, then the customer gets the opportunity to save on material scraps. In warm weather, composite fibers of any thickness can be easily cut with wire cutters or bolt cutters.

The material is resistant to temperature changes. At the same time, fiberglass, due to its thermal expansion index, does not provoke concrete defects. This is another plus in favor of composite structures. The low modulus of elasticity of fiberglass reinforcement is successfully compensated by a reduction in heat loss. Unlike metal, composite fibers do not provoke the appearance of cold bridges in concrete.

Many craftsmen, in their reviews of the properties of composite structures, include an indication of the possibility of completely replacing metal with fiberglass. It is already confidently used for:

According to consumer reviews, fiberglass reinforcement is much more economical than metal. At the same time, the price per linear meter of composite fiber is slightly higher than for steel. The benefit is achieved by the absence of scraps, ease of storage and transportation, and the absence of the need for welding and additional treatment of the structure with special protective compounds.

There are enough advantages of fiberglass reinforcement, but for me it has one significant drawback. When sawing, it raises dust with small particles of glass. It is not always possible to work in thick glasses and a respirator, so after filing you feel as if there are a million glass splinters in your throat and nose.

Ivan. Concrete worker. 4 years of experience

My husband and I were planning to install a bathhouse. When purchasing fittings, they diligently tried to convince us to choose fiberglass, claiming that, according to experts, it is better in many respects. Before my eyes, the child broke off a piece of the rod with his hands. But the seller insisted that this was normal, because the reinforcement must withstand longitudinal loads. In general, I was categorically against it, and my husband was tempted by the low cost. It turned out that it was more convenient to install than metal. We poured the foundation and it has been successfully standing under the bathhouse for 3 years. Didn't burst, didn't bend over.

For a long time, customers have been suspicious of composite reinforcement. But over the last 5 years it has started to become popular. Accordingly, many factories began to produce it. To attract the attention of the buyer, various dyes are added and the number of winding ribs is increased. In practice, it turned out that some color pigments impair the strength of the fiber, and the number of ribs affects only the cost. Otherwise, I’m happy with the composite reinforcement: it’s comfortable to work with.

Oleg. Concrete worker. 8 years of experience

Despite the fact that reinforcement made of composite materials has been used in Europe, the USA and some other countries to strengthen concrete monolithic structures since the 70s of the last century, for us it is still a new and rarely used material. However, in recent years, thanks to the desire of private construction companies to introduce modern technologies into production, fiberglass reinforcement is becoming increasingly used.

Initially, fiberglass reinforcement, due to its high cost, was used only for monolithic structures subject to difficult operating conditions. But the gradual development of the chemical industry and the building materials industry has led to lower prices and increased availability of fiberglass.

The expansion of production and scope of application of reinforcement with composite reinforcement entailed the development and approval of GOST 31938-2012, which determines the manufacturing conditions, appearance, dimensions and procedure for laboratory testing of products of this type.

What is fiberglass reinforcement

Structurally, in cross section, it is a bundle of threads made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, basalt and some other polymers, coated on top with viscous resins. This structure provides tensile strength more than three times higher than that of steel (a detailed comparison of composite and metal reinforcement is provided).

Classification

Depending on the type of raw materials used in manufacturing, PVC reinforcement for foundations is divided into:

• glass composite - ASC;
• carbon composite – AUK;
• basalt - ABK;
• combined – ACC.

In addition, polymer rods vary in cross-sectional diameter from 4 to 32 mm and surface appearance, which can be smooth, corrugated or powdered.

Deliveries are made in the form of rolled coils or straight cut rods up to 12 meters long.

Specifications

The structural structure of composite reinforcement for foundations makes it a unique building material that is used for the construction of especially critical monolithic concrete structures. The main technical indicators include:

• lower tensile strength for ASC 800 MPa, AUK 1400 MPa, ABK 1200 MPa;
• ultimate strength during compression testing for all types - not less than 300 MPa;
• transverse shear resistance for ASK is not less than 150 MPa, AUK 350 MPa, ABK 250 MPa;
• the average specific gravity of composite reinforcement is 1900 kg/m 3 ;
• The maximum operating temperature is 60˚C.

When comparing elasticity indicators, it should be noted that carbon fiber reinforcement is more than 2 times higher than fiberglass and 1.5 times higher than composite basalt reinforcement.

Weight of plastic fittings.

Cost of fiberglass rod

The price of polymer reinforcing materials depends on the structure and components in the composition. The design of the composite rod consists of a longitudinal set of glass fibers bonded together with epoxy resin. The surface can remain smooth, have a rough powder, or be wrapped in a spiral with a special glass roving. The latter method allows you to obtain a ribbed surface that will provide more reliable adhesion to concrete.

Unlike rolled metal, which in most cases is sold by weight, the price of fiberglass reinforcement is always determined per linear meter. This often leads to the misconception that composite materials cost much more per ton than steel.

It is necessary to understand that with a diameter of 12 mm, one ton of metal will contain 1100 meters of rod, and plastic - 12500 meters. In addition, the high strength of fiberglass reinforcement allows the use of smaller diameters under the same installation conditions. These conditions show that the cost of polymers will not be higher, but lower, than that of rolled metal. A study of the price lists of manufacturing companies showed that the price of the most popular diameters 4-8 mm is in the range 8.50-27.20 rub/m.

Pros and cons of using fiberglass

Experts consider the main advantages of composite reinforcement to be:

• resistance to corrosion and many aggressive chemicals;
• high strength, exceeding similar indicators for metal;
• durability, increasing the service life of the structure by 2-3 times;
• low specific weight, facilitating loading and transportation;
• simple calculation of fiberglass reinforcement for the foundation;
• possibility of use at negative temperatures down to -60˚C;
• environmental friendliness of the components used;
• accessibility and cost-effectiveness of use;
• no restriction on rod length during installation due to supplies in coils;
• dielectric and antimagnetic properties.

A serious disadvantage of composite reinforcement is its reduced strength during fracture testing. Where metal rods simply bend, fiberglass can break, weakening the reliability of the structure. Therefore, such polymers are not used in the installation and production of load-bearing elements and floors, which limits their use and is a disadvantage.

The maximum heating temperature does not allow the use of plastic reinforcement with the potential for prolonged exposure to an open flame. In the event of a fire, such concrete monoliths will be identified as damaged and must be replaced.

Comparing the pros and cons of fiberglass reinforcement, we can confidently conclude that these materials can and should be used to create reliable and durable monolithic structures.

Scope of application

Fiberglass is an excellent material for installing any type of foundation. Composite reinforcement is used not only in industrial, but also in private construction. Especially in the case of the possibility of high groundwater rise and on marshy soils. This material is indispensable when performing work to strengthen banks, during the construction of hydraulic structures and at sites with possible exposure to aggressive substances.

Good results are obtained if plastic reinforcement is used to strengthen road surfaces in areas with high humidity and in permafrost conditions. A rod with a diameter of 4 mm is used for reinforcing masonry made of foam concrete and aerated concrete blocks, as well as floors in industrial and commercial facilities.

Experts also recognize the advantage of composite reinforcement as the ability to effectively combine traditional steel rods and composite plastic materials. With the help of steel, the corners and junctions of the walls are strengthened, and all spans are reinforced with plastic. This allows you to speed up the assembly of the frame without compromising the quality of the structure and expand the areas of application of materials.

Foundation reinforcement technology

Thanks to the reduced weight of plastic reinforcement and the ability to use rods of any length, assembling a reinforcing frame is much easier than using metal rods. The increased strength of polymer reinforcement for foundation materials allows the use of a smaller cross-section.

For example, steel reinforcement with a diameter of 12 mm, often used for installing foundations in private construction, is replaced with 8 mm plastic, and 10 mm rods with 7 mm polymer.
A calculation table that will help you determine exactly what diameter can be used in each individual case.

The technological process of installation work using plastic reinforcement for the foundation is carried out in several stages, as shown in the video at the end of the article:

1. installation of formwork;
2. marking the concrete pouring level;
3. assembly of the reinforcing frame;
4. removal of formwork.

Installation of the formwork structure when reinforcing a strip foundation with fiberglass reinforcement must be carried out in accordance with the project to ensure the exact configuration and dimensions of the foundation elements. When made of wooden boards, chipboard or plywood, it is recommended to wrap the panels in glassine. This will save the material and reuse it.

After this, on the inside of the enclosing elements, using a water level, it is necessary to mark the upper level of the future monolith. They will allow you to navigate when pouring concrete and ensure its even distribution.

Assembly of the reinforcing frame

The layout of the reinforcement and the dimensions between individual rods are always indicated in the project. If you use fiberglass reinforcement in the foundation, you can change the diameter of the rods to a smaller one, but the layout should be done only according to the drawing.

Scheme of reinforcement of a monolithic slab.

Initially, it is necessary to unwind rods of the required length from the coil and install them on stands parallel to each other. At specified intervals, place transverse bridges on the longitudinal strings. Tie the reinforcement at the intersections with tying wire or tighten it with tight plastic clamps (more about tying -). As a result, the bottom row of the frame will be ready for reinforcing the foundation with fiberglass reinforcement.

Prepare vertical posts of the required length. The top row of the frame is knitted similarly to the bottom row. After assembly, both rows are placed on top of each other and, starting from the edge, their vertical posts are connected, gradually raising the top row of reinforcement.

After assembling the structure, it must be moved and installed inside the formwork fence, as shown in the photo.

Before installing the reinforcing frame, sand is poured into the bottom of the trench and spilled with water or compacted. It is recommended to cover the compacted sand surface with waterproofing material or geotextile fabric. This will prevent moisture from entering the foundation and increase its reliability and service life.

In the process of installing a foundation made of fiberglass reinforcement, it must be remembered that the edges of the rods should not reach 5 cm from the formwork and the bottom of the trench. To ensure this condition, you can use special plastic fasteners such as “post” and “star” or dense moisture-resistant stone materials.

Belt reinforcement.

Pouring concrete mixture

Laying concrete inside the formwork is done in exactly the same way as when using metal reinforcement. However, extreme caution should be exercised, since the strength of fiberglass reinforcement may be insufficient under strong lateral impacts. Compacting concrete with a vibrator or tamper must be done in such a way as not to damage the installed frame.

Horizontal reinforcement

This method of using composite reinforcement in construction is used for installing slab foundations. Their main difference from strip-type bases is the absence of corners and adjacent areas. In fact, the entire structure is made in the form of two large grids, located one above the other. All assembly work is carried out at the installation site, since moving an assembled element of such a large size is quite problematic.

Therefore, the required number of longitudinal rods is initially laid. Transverse ones are placed on them and a mesh is knitted using wire or clamps. The second one is knitted directly on it. After this, the lower mesh must be raised onto stands above the bottom of the pit. Next, the upper mesh can be placed on vertical posts installed at the intersections of the reinforcement.

Finally

Fiberglass mesh for reinforcement on construction sites in our country is still considered a new material. Many builders still believe that the use of steel, the properties of which have long been studied, will provide a more reliable monolithic structure.

However, numerous tests and studies have shown that composite materials are superior to traditional metal in strength, durability and other characteristics. Plastic is more convenient to use and reduces installation time. It is also not susceptible to corrosion, stray currents or low temperatures.

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