Alternative reinforcing materials can improve concrete performance in harsh conditions and critical applications. We look at the choices.
Deterioration of the nation's concrete bridges and transportation infrastructure has reached alarming levels. Bridge engineers and federal transportation officials have been using and experimenting with new reinforcing materials that provide corrosion protection not provided by traditional black steel rebar. We asked Gerardo G. Clemena, principal research scientist for the Virginia Transportation Research Council, and Doug Gremel, director of nonmetallic reinforcing with Hughes Brothers, to discuss the economic and structural pros and cons of FRP reinforcing, stainless steel, stainless-clad steel, and a new corrosion-resistant steel.
