Fibre Reinforced Plastic

What is FRP ?

Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP or GRP Glass reinforced plastic) (also

fibre-reinforced polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer
matrix reinforced with fibres.

The fibres are usually glass, carbon, or aramid, although other fibres
such as paper or wood or asbestos have been sometimes used.

The polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting

plastic, and phenol formaldehyde resins are still in use.

FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and

construction industries.

In FRP , the glass fibres provide stiffness and strength wile resin
provides matrix to transfer load to the fibres

Applications of FRP in building industry

Concrete shuttering

Domes

Doors and Window frames

Internal partitions

Wall paneling

Roof Sheets

Structural Sections

Temporary shelters

Water storage tanks

Properties

Aesthetic appeal

Corrosion resistant

Dimensional stability

Durability , Light transmission & light weight

Easy to repair, energy saving

Maintenance

FRP Wall Panels

INTERIORS

Wall panels

Corrosion Resistance
High Strength
Easy Installation
Long Lasting Life
Custom Panel Size
Light Weight
Non-Fire Retardant and Fire Retardant
U.V. Resistant Property

Applications :

Chemical Plant & Refineries

Power Plants
Swimming Pools
Electroplating Platform
Trench Cover
Marine Industries
Battery Rackes

Installation methods
ADHESIVE

- Adhesive is applied on panel

- Cross hatch pattern is
employed

FASTENERS

Nylon drive rivets, or corrosion resistant

screws are appropriate fastener options.

If rivets or fasteners are used, panels should

be predrilled using a drill bit that is 1/8" to
1/4" larger than the fastener.

During installation, holes only slightly larger

than the fastener should be drilled into the
substrate through the predrilled holes in the panel
and prior to any adhesive application.

Apply silicone sealant prior to inserting rivets

or fasteners.

The recommended fastening frequency is 16" on center

both horizontally and vertically.

SPACING

All frp panels have expansion characteristics due to

changes in humidity and temperature

It must be accounted for during

installation with proper spacing around panel edges
and around fixtures attached to the panel/wall.

Adequate space must be allowed

for panel expansion and contraction.

For a 4' x 8' panel, a minimum

gap of 1/4" is required at the top and bottom of each
panel and 1/8 between panels

More room will be required for longer panels.

It is recommended that panels do not exceed 48" in

width and 12' in length to aid in ease of installation

STEP 1 - PLANNING AND CUTTING

Pre-fit each panel before fastening and/or adhering in place.

All cutting and drilling should be done prior to the
application of adhesive.
Rivet holes should be predrilled in the panels using a
bit that is 1/8"-1/4" larger than the rivet.
Plan ahead so that fasteners will not interfere with
moldings or other wall fixtures.
Preplan for cove or base molding.
Frp panels should be installed so that the base molding will
not
restrict normal panel movement during expansion and
contraction.
Cut panels 1/4" short of where the base molding will extend;
poured

STEP 2 - ATTACHING TO WALL

Begin installation in a corner.

Mark a plumb line 48-1/8 from the corner.
In areas where several courses of
panels are used (e.g., on a high wall),
use vertical and horizontal lines to assure alignment.
Install one piece of corner molding.
Apply silicone sealant in molding groove.
If using rivets - drill holes into the substrate
through the predrilled holes in panel.
If using adhesive - apply adhesive to panel using
adhesive manufacturers recommended trowel
height to ensure good adhesion.
If using adhesive for installation, roll panel with
a laminate roller, beginning at the top corner
nearest the molding and rolling down and out
towards the edge away from the molding,
making certain to remove all trapped air.

This will aid in removing air pockets and will help to ensure a flat,
fully
adhered installation.

Install fasteners as each panel is put into place and before the next
division bar or
molding strip is applied. Start fastening at top edge with installed
molding and work
toward the other side.

Continue installing fasteners one row at a time until fastening is

complete.

Apply silicone sealant beneath rivet or fastener.

Install one-piece division bar and caps or next molding piece by

laying
down a bead of silicone in molding groove and sliding completely
onto the panel.

Withdraw the molding or division bar 1/8" to provide proper

Spacing.

The free edge of the molding or division bar may be tacked in

Once the adhesive has cured, however, these nails

must be removed, as they do not allow for normal panel expansion
and contraction.

Always put silicone sealant in all molding and around

all panel edges, fasteners, and fixtures to provide a
moisture-proof installation.

STEP 3 - PANEL INSTALLATION FINISHING

Silicone sealant should be applied in all molding and around

all panel edges, fasteners, and fixtures to provide a
moisture-proof installation.

Adhesive residue should be removed immediately.

Latex-based adhesive can be removed with soap and

water.

Solvent-based adhesive may be removed with mineral

spirits.

FRP Pedestrian Bridge,Lleida

CASE STUDY

FRP Pedestrian Bridgein Lleida (Spain)

Longestarch bridgemade out standard GFRP pultruded profiles.

Tied arch bridge

Length 38 m

Width 6 m

deck width 3 m

Height 6.2 m

Built in only three months.

Completed in October 2001.

Spans across the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed rail link

The total cost of the structure was approximately $0.32million ($2350

per m2).

Won the international Footbridge Award 2005 in the category

Technology for medium span (30m-75m) bridges..

The arch configuration was chosen so as to minimize serviceability

problems due to
the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP profiles

The bridge makes use of new technology to solve a number of specific

problems.

As the bridge would cross a major rail link, minimising disruption to

services was a key priority for the Spanish railway authorities.

Accordingly, the bridge was assembled at the line side and then craned
into place, resulting in a railway possession time of only three hours for
the complete erection.

GRP does not conduct electricity, which is also very important as it

means there is no magnetic interference with the electrified railway

The glass fibre reinforced plastic beams and panels used in the
footbridge were manufactured in Denmark and assembled in Spain

A major challenge in the project was the construction of the two

arches, which each lean approximately 10 degrees inward.

The bridge therefore has no simple perpendicular

components but is composed of short straight
sections.

Advantages:

Electrical insulation

Easy handling and quick installation

Weather and corrosion resistance

Low weight combined with

great strength

Minimal maintenance