ASTM Develops Fiber Reinforced Polymer Standard
ASTM International has recently developed a new standard specification for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). The development was reportedly completed by ASTM’s Composite Materials Committee (D30).
Francisco De Caso, ASTM International member and principle scientist at Miami University, says this new standard is “a milestone after several decades of collaboration to further integrate these composites into infrastructure.”
“The higher performance specified for bars, results in a significant improvement of design and construction of concrete structures reinforced with non-metallic FRP bars,” says De Caso. “This translates into more efficient and sustainable design of concrete structures.”
#Concrete and concrete aggregates committee (C09) is developing a proposed standard that will be used to help measure the tensile strength of fiber reinforced concrete. https://t.co/hPCCaS3gLl pic.twitter.com/3wHVEmhYy7
— ASTM International (@ASTMIntl) May 18, 2023
De Caso also reportedly stated that these specifications could be useful across the concrete construction value chain. According to the press release, the specification contains critical contributions, such as higher-performance bars and the addition of basalt FRP bars to glass FRP bars.
This effort reportedly relates to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals pertaining to clean water and sanitation, industry, sustainable cities and responsible production/consumption.
More information on the ASTM D30 committee can be found here.
Recent ASTM News
At the end of last month, ASTM International announced that it is developing a proposed standard that will be used to help measure the tensile strength of fiber-reinforced concrete.
The standard, which is being developed by the Concrete and Concrete Aggregates Committee (C09), will reportedly give the engineering community the data and confidence needed to evaluate the performance of fibers.
According to the release, the effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.
The draft standard also notes that there is currently no ASTM standard to measure this fundamental property of fiber-reinforced concrete, and tension can only be determined indirectly through flexural testing.
ASTM further explains that a direct testing method is needed to give the engineering community the data and confidence needed to evaluate performance of fibers. Additionally, the Committee adds that direct tension testing methods are under development in other countries by competing standards organizations, and the development of a direct tension method will help maintain ASTM as a leader in the field.
