Structural Reinforcements

COMPOSIBAR® | GRIDFORM™ | SAFSTRIP®

COMPOSIBAR® Composite Fiberglass Rebar for the Construction Industry

COMPOSIBAR® is a high-performance, composite fiberglass rebar designed specifically for concrete reinforcement in flatwork and masonry applications. Manufactured in the USA using a patented pultrusion process, COMPOSIBAR delivers long-term durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation that traditional steel rebar cannot match.

Unlike steel, COMPOSIBAR is 100% fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), meaning it will not rust, corrode, or deteriorate over time. The result is longer service life, reduced maintenance, and more reliable performance in demanding environments.

Why COMPOSIBAR Instead of Steel

Steel reinforcement has been the standard for decades, but it brings inherent limitations. COMPOSIBAR addresses those issues directly:

• No Corrosion
• Steel rusts. COMPOSIBAR does not. Ideal for environments exposed to moisture, chemicals, or deicing salts.
• Extended Service Life
• Eliminates concrete spalling and premature failure caused by corrosion.
• Lightweight
• Significantly lighter than steel, reducing handling fatigue, transportation costs, and installation time.
• Lower Installed Cost
• Faster placement and easier handling reduce labor requirements.
• Non-Conductive and Non-Magnetic
• Suitable for applications where electrical or magnetic interference is a concern.

Key Features

• 100% FRP composite construction
• Manufactured exclusively in the USA
• Patented manufacturing process
• BABAA (Build America, Buy America Act) compliant
• High tensile strength with excellent bond to concrete
• Consistent, controlled production through pultrusion

Applications

COMPOSIBAR is engineered for flatwork and light structural concrete applications, including:

• Slabs-on-grade (commercial and residential)
• Sidewalks and pedestrian pathways
• Driveways and parking lots
• Warehouse and industrial floors
• Curb and gutter
• Patios and pool decks
• Agricultural slabs and grain bin foundations
• CMU walls, footings, and foundations

Installation & Handling

COMPOSIBAR installs similarly to steel rebar, using standard chairs and ties. For best long-term performance, plastic or composite accessories are recommended to eliminate any potential corrosion points.

Cutting is performed using a diamond or carbide blade. Due to its lightweight and non-heat-conductive properties, COMPOSIBAR is easier and safer to handle on the jobsite.

GRIDFORM™ Concrete Bridge Deck Reinforcements

GRIDFORM™ is a prefabricated fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) double-layer grating, concrete-reinforcing system with integral stay-in-place (SIP) form for vehicular bridge decks.

The system consists of FRP plates bonded to the bottom grating of FRP double-layer grating panels, creating a bidirectional, lightweight panel for the grid construction of corrosion-free concrete bridge decks.

The lightweight GRIDFORM panel, which weighs only 4.7 pounds per square foot, is shop-fabricated in very large units that are limited only by shipping constraints to approximately 50 ft. by 8 ft.

When the GRIDFORM arrives on site, it is lifted with a single pick of a crane and placed directly in the bridge girders. The GRIDFORM panel is pre-engineered and detailed to enable rapid attachment to the bridge girders and subsequent concrete placement and forming. The anticipated lifespan of a GRIDFORM bridge deck is several times that of steel reinforced concrete bridge decks since FRP provides a corrosion-free reinforcement system for the concrete.

Designing with GRIDFORM

Design of FRP-reinforced concrete bridge deck systems follows the methodology of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and ACI PRC-440.1 Guide for the Design and Construction of Structural Concrete Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars.  Design assistance can be obtained by contacting Strongwell – Chatfield Location.

SAFSTRIP® Strengthening Strip

SAFSTRIP® is a pultruded composite strip that improves the strength of an existing structural member when mechanically fastened to the structure. The reinforcing strip has high bearing and longitudinal properties and is designed to strengthen the flexural capacity on the tension face of concrete girders, slabs and decks. Installation on bridges can occur without any interruption of service.

Low-Cost Rehabilitation with FRP Strips written by MARK D. WHITTEMORE, P.E., and ROBERT H. DURFEE, P.E., SECB DuBois & King, Inc., Bedford, New Hampshire as presented at the 2011 International Bridge Conference.

SAFSTRIP is supplied in rolls and may be pre-drilled with holes at the required fastener spacing to receive fasteners. SAFSTRIP measures 4" wide x 1/8" thick and is shipped in rolls up to 100 ft. long. SAFSTRIP is designed to be easily field cut by the customer into shorter lengths using standard carpenter tools.

Features

• Easy to install, no skilled labor necessary
• Minimal surface preparation is needed for installation
• Structure is usable immediately after installation
• Cost effective system for increasing load capacity of bridges
• Will not split or delaminate when drilled

Engineering Design

The repair of concrete structures using SAFSTRIP is dependent upon the concrete’s condition. The local engineer must determine the strength of the existing concrete. It must then be determined how much SAFSTRIP is required and the spacing of fasteners.

Design of MF-FRP systems follows the methodology of ACI PRC-440.2: Design and Construction of Externally Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures. Design assistance can be obtained by contacting Strongwell – Chatfield Location.

SAFSTRIP® Carbon

SAFSTRIP® Carbon is a unidirectional, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) comprised of high tensile strength and high modulus carbon fibers encapsulated in a thermoset resin through the pultrusion process. SAFSTRIP Carbon is designed to be used as an externally applied reinforcement for strengthening concrete, timber, and masonry structures. A peelply fabric is adhered to the plate that, when removed, leaves a prepared bonding surface for adhesion to a prepared substrate.

Typical Applications

• Structural Strengthening
• Seismic Strengthening
• Damage to Structural Parts
• Change in Structural System
• Design or Construction Defects
• Load Increases
• Serviceability Improvements