Standard issued for a new type of building reinforcement

Structural engineers who are interested in a different approach can look to a new standard developed by the Canadian Standards Association.
The association has developed the world’s first full standard for the design and retrofit of building components using fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP). Seminars on the new standard are being held in Ottawa and Toronto during early December under the auspices of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering.
Fibre-reinforced polymers were originally developed for the aerospace industry, but they are also now being used in bridges and other structures as reinforcement. They are promoted by Canadian researchers (e.g. ISIS Canada) because the FRP reinforcement doesn’t corrode like steel rebar, which has historically caused many problems with aging infrastructures. (See article in Canadian Consulting engineer March/April 1999 “Road Bridges: Finding a Better Way to Build).
The new standard CSA-S806 Design and Construction of Building Components with Fibre-Reinforced Polymers makes it possible to apply FRPs to buildings in a systematic way.
The standard deals with reinforced and pre-stressed internal reinforcement consisting of bars and grids and with external reinforcement comprising surface bonded sheets and laminates.
It covers the ultimate limit state analysis and design of members under flexure, axial loads or shear, as well as serviceability limit state requirements such as crack, width and deflection.
The seminars are being held December 2 at the Embassy West Hotel, Ottawa, and December 3 at the Days Inn Downtown, Toronto. Click on Events on the Canadian Consulting Engineer website for more details. www.canadianconsultingengineer.com