IIT Hyderabad Researchers Propose
– GFRP rebars find applications in Road construction, Dams, Bridges, Rail Structures and Foundations of Buildings and Bridges.
– Research at IITH helps the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) develop standards for promoting GFRP bars in various infrastructure applications.
– GFRP rebars are an attractive alternative to conventional steel rebars for concrete construction, being cost-effective in many applications compared to steel when the overall life cycle cost is considered.
– Combined use of discrete fibres and GFRP rebars can alleviate the ductility issues related to GFRP rebars.
According to a recent research by the International Zinc Association (IZA), steel corrosion in India is estimated to cost the country 5-7% of GDP annually. The country, grappling with challenges in safeguarding steel reinforcement of concrete structures, particularly in coastal regions, is increasingly turning to Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebar as a corrosion-resistant alternative. GFRP’s non-corrosive nature, lightweight properties, and non-conductivity are proving beneficial for applications in diverse environments such as MRI Rooms, Rail Structures, and Foundations of Transformers.
A significant contributor to sustainable infrastructure, the use of GFRP rebars in concrete construction is highlighted as a solution that can lead to reduced maintenance, extended lifespan, and lower replacement costs. The CASTCON Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), led by Prof S Suriya Prakash, has played a pivotal role in advancing the effective utilization of GFRP rebars.
Prof S Suriya Prakash’s team at the CASTCON Lab has developed hybrid GFRP bars and discrete fiber-based reinforcing solutions to enhance the performance of concrete members under various loading conditions. The addition of discrete fibers is identified as a key factor in improving the capacity and ductility of GFRP-reinforced concrete elements. The ongoing research focuses on assessing the impact of different types and dosages of macro fibers in concrete to reduce brittleness.
Acknowledging the innovation, Prof B Murty, Director of IITH, emphasized the importance of increasing the service life of civil infrastructure for economic growth. He praised the research team’s efforts in optimizing the use of GFRP rebars in concrete construction, showcasing the institute’s commitment to contributing to humanity.
Prof Suriya Prakash and Ganapati M Patil, a PhD Scholar in the Department of Civil Engineering at IITH, presented their GFRP-reinforced Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) technique as an effective solution to enhance strength and deformability in concrete elements, especially in harsh corrosive environments. The team conducted extensive experiments on concrete columns and beams reinforced with different fiber amounts and GFRP bars, aiming to develop analytical models for simplified design guidelines for engineers.
With numerous research papers published on GFRP bar-reinforced concrete behavior, Prof S Suriya Prakash and his team are actively collaborating with the Bureau of Indian Standards to establish guidelines promoting the use of GFRP rebars. Their broader research agenda includes Hybrid FRP Systems for Structural Strengthening, lightweight Precast Panels, and Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC).
