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FRP prestressing tendons

FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) prestressing tendons consist of high strength/high stiffness carbon, glass or aramid fibres combined with a suitable resin, generally epoxy-based. Typical properties are given in the Table. FRP tendons require special anchors, generally resin-filled; normal steel barrel and wedge anchors cause local damage and premature anchorage failure.

FRP prestressing tendons have been used in a number of bridge decks North America, Japan and Europe; the first applications were in the mid-1980s. In addition, carbon FRP tendons have been used for the stays of cable-stayed bridges.

In addition there have been a number of conferences dealing with FRP prestressing and reinforcement materials.

Acknowledgement: The ConcreteSociety

Other references:CLARKE, J. L. (Editor) ´Alternative materials for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete´, Chapman & Hall, 1993.