IIT Hyderabad Castcon Lab Develops Hybrid GFRP Bars for Enhanced Concrete Performance

New Delhi: Under the guidance of Professor S. Suriya Prakash, the IIT Hyderabad Castcon Lab has innovated hybrid Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars and discrete fiber-based reinforcing solutions.

This IIT Hyderabad advancement aims to enhance the performance of concrete members under varied loading conditions.

As per a report from the International Zinc Association (IZA), India experiences an annual GDP loss of 5-7% due to steel corrosion. The country, marked by an extensive coastline and major metropolitan centers along coastal regions, grapples with substantial challenges in protecting steel reinforcement in concrete structures and bridges from corrosion.

Consequently, there is a growing adoption of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebars as an alternative to steel reinforcement, owing to their non-corrosive, lightweight, and non-conductive properties. 

These characteristics not only enhance the durability of GFRP rebars in corrosive environments but also make them easy to transport and install. Moreover, they prove ideal for applications in electrical environments like MRI rooms, rail structures, and the foundations of transformers and thyristors.

Incorporating discrete fibers enhances the capacity and ductility of concrete elements reinforced with GFRP. The ongoing research focuses on assessing the efficacy of diverse macro fibers in concrete, considering different dosages.

Why Use IITH Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars?

As per the researchers, GFRP is necessary to prevent steel bars of concrete buildings and bridges from corrosion instead of steel, for improved durability. It is a robust solution for increasing the life of civil infrastructure as it does not corrode, is light weight, and is non-conductive. 

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