An Overview on FRP Reinforced Concrete as a Corrosion-Resistant Element in Offshore Structures

Corrosion of reinforcement in steel reinforced concrete is a serious problem in coastal and offshore structures. The problem becomes critical if the reinforcement is highly stressed under service conditions. An ordinary reinforced concrete structure would lose part of its resistance capacity if it experienced prolong exposure to corrosive elements such as salts, acids, hlorides, etc. Furthermore, the stained reinforcement would pressure on the shell of concrete outside the reinforcement and would spall it off. Repair and replacement of damaged concrete structures due to corrosion of steel reinforcement has caused millions of dollars of loss throughout the world. Some techniques have been developed and used to prevent corrosion in reinforced concrete. However, to fully eliminate the problem, attention has been directed to complete replacement of steel rebars with new corrosion resistant materials. Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) are highly resistant to saline and alkaline environments, consequently they have become the subject of extensive research and development as a possible substitute for steel reinforcement, specially in coastal and offshore structures. The paper will review the properties, advantages and disadvantages of FRP rebars, and discuss its applicability as a substitute of steel to attain corrosion-resistant reinforced concrete for coastal and offshore structure.

Keywords:

Corrosion , fiber reinforced plastic , FRP , offshore structures , reinforced concrete , rebars