ACI 440.1R-06

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials have emerged as an alternative material for producing reinforcing bars for concrete structures. FRP reinforcing bars offer advantages over steel reinforcement in that FRP bars are noncorrosive, and some FRP bars are nonconductive. Due to other differences in the physical and mechanical behavior of FRP materials versus steel, unique guidance on the engineering and construction of concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars is needed. Other countries, such as Japan and Canada, have established design and construction guidelines specificallyfor the use of FRP bars as concrete reinforcement. This guide offers general information on the history and use of FRP reinforcement, a description of the unique material properties of FRP, and guidelines for the construction and design of structural concrete members reinforced with FRP bars. This guide is based on the knowledge gained from worldwide experimental research, analytical work, and field applications of FRP reinforcement.