Technical Product Questions
Strongwell FRP products are highly-engineered and technical products. If you have questions about specific technical aspects of our products or capabilities, you can learn more below.
Yes, see the Strongwell Design Manual. The Design Manual is formatted similarly to the AISI steel manual with section properties, allowable loads for flexural members, allowable compressive loads for columns, and design equations to help you understand the capabilities of Strongwell’s products. Registered structural engineers are also available to help answer questions.
What resins are available for Strongwell products?
Numerous standard and custom resin systems are available from Strongwell, including, but not limited to:
- Polyester
- Vinyl Ester
- Polyurethane
- Phenolic
- Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
- Epoxy
- Custom Blends
Each resin system offers specific benefits based on the customer’s need. For instance, phenolic resin systems offer superior fire resistance and minimum smoke emissions. Please contact Strongwell for additional information on which resin systems are available for which products.
What reinforcements are available for Strongwell products?
Numerous standard and custom reinforcements (and reinforcement combinations) are available from Strongwell, including, but not limited to:
- E glass
- ECR glass
- High Modulus glass
- Basalt
- Carbon Fiber
- Aramid
- Others
The type(s) of reinforcements used, and in combination with different resin systems, offers specific benefits based on the customer’s need. For instance, carbon fiber offers additional stiffness over most glass reinforcements but. Please contact Strongwell for additional information on which reinforcements are available for which products.
How do I determine which DURADEK® or DURAGRID® pultruded grating series to use?
Refer to the load tables found in Strongwell’s Fiberglass Grating brochure to determine the product that best meets the loading requirements for your application.
What FRP grating system will meet ADA requirements in a bridge load situation?
Can COMPOSOLITE® be used as a wall extension for catch basin wall?
Yes, see the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
Does Strongwell have products that can carry pedestrian loads for an 8’ span on a bridge?
Yes, DURAGRID® HD pultruded grating or COMPOSOLITE® structural building panels may be suitable for your application. Please refer to the COMPOSOLITE® brochure, or the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
I need a structural tube to support antenna. Do you have a recommended product I can use?
Strongwell recommends the use of EXTREN® 3” x 3” x ¼” or 4” x 4” x ¼” square tubes. Please refer to the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
Please provide info on EXTREN® angle used as a flexural member.
Strongwell only publishes flexural information on sections that are efficient in bending. An EXTREN® angle is neither efficient nor recommended as a member in bending. A test program would be required to determine performance.
How does the toggle on COMPOSOLITE® work structurally? Is there a means to band the open ends?
When used with an adhesive, the toggle makes the COMPOSOLITE® panel connections as strong as the shear strength of the joint. Refer to Section 15 in the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
With regard to banding, a fiberglass channel end cap measuring 3.42” x 1.31” x .125” can be used to cover and band open ends on COMPOSOLITE® panels.
How do Strongwell’s FRP structural materials perform in abrasion resistance compared to wood?
Strongwell lists this information on page 3-3 of the Strongwell Design Manual (Barcol Hardness of 45). Abrasion is a complex subject with numerous variables. Generally, FRP should perform as well or better than wood in normal sand or grit paper type abrasion events.
Please refer to page 3-3 of the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
Does Strongwell have information on column base plates and up-lift?
Yes. Please refer to pages 19-8 and 19-9 of the Strongwell Design Manual for more information.
I am attempting to use a 24” I beam with a 20’ span without lateral bracing. How can I find maximum bending stress (Fu)?
An I beam of this span without lateral bracing limits stability. Please refer to equations on page 8-4 of the Strongwell Design Manual and to model beam end conditions on page 8-6). Use proper C1 and Ky coefficients and calculate Fu.