Reinforced Concrete is a common building material for construction of parking facilities and structures. While concrete does have high compressive strength, it has limited tensile strength and requires reinforcing bars to overcome this limitation. In parking structures not subjected to chloride ion attack, black carbon steel rebar has historically been used as an effective and cost efficient concrete reinforcement. However, parking structures exposed to certain conditions like constant humidity combined with mild temperature and road salts accumulation or aggressive chemicals, become susceptible to oxidation. As corrosion of the rebar occurs, large volume oxides are created (Fe3O4, Fe(OH)2, Fe(OH)3 and Fe(OH)3·3H2O), generating a tensile load that the concrete cannot sustain. Therefore, concrete eventually cracks and spalls, leading to further deterioration of the steel. The combination of ongoing deterioration and loss of reinforcement properties ultimately requires potentially significant and expensive outlays for repair and maintenance, and possibly the endangerment of the parking structure itself as well as its users.

Composite Rebar for Concrete Structures

NEWSLETTERPARKING GARAGE JANUARY 2012

NEWSLETTER PARKING GARAGE JANUARY 2012

IN THIS ISSUE:

History of reinforcementWhy Composite Rebar

Advantages and propertiesField Applications

Training and Design

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1 History of reinforcement

2 3Why AdvantagesCorrosion resistance:Not affected by de-icing salts, V-ROD is ideal for any type of parking garage structures, whether they are multi-story, above or underground and especially in parking garage entrance slabs. FRP reinforcement can triple the service-life of your structures. The asphalt layer is now optional allowing you to lower the dead load applied to the load-bearing vertical members. The high corrosion resistance of V-ROD eliminates the need for costly silica fumes, galvanized or epoxy-coated steel, expensive membranes, cathodic protection and an increased concrete cover.

Higher tensile strength than steel:The V-ROD HM FRP reinforcing bar offers a tensile strength almost three (3) times greater than steel. This high tensile strength is fully utilized by the 14 MPa bond strength between the concrete and V-ROD.

Electromagnetic neutrality:V-ROD is electromagnetically neutral. This allows the installation of car sensors in the concrete for automatic park payment.

Lightweight:V-ROD is approximately one-quarter the weight of an equivalent size steel bar, thus reducing the dead load, limiting the need to reinforce columns and reducing freight and placement costs.

Approved material V-ROD is included in the CAN CSA S806-02 and CAN CSA S06-06

Composite RebarStudies on the effectiveness and durability of some rebar protection methods (increased concrete cover, high-performance concrete, cathodic protection, watertight membranes) have shown that they do not solve the corrosion problem. In some cases, it even gets accelerated. (Benmokrane)

V-ROD offers many advantages to fully eliminate the corrosion problem. In addition, lab studies and field testing have shown that V-ROD could offer a life expectancy of over 100 years in service conditions.

A WORD ABOUT PULTRALL:Established in 1987, Pultrall Inc. is the pioneer of non-metallic concrete reinforcement solutions in North America. Pultrall’s achievements include some of the most prestigious projects in North America and around the world. The company serves clients through a network of Authorized Distributors throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

AT PULTRALL, WE BELIEVE IN CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO. We are convinced that safe and durable concrete structures are achieved by eliminating the corrosion problem at its roots. Our solution, a stronger, well tested, widely used and corrosion proof reinforcement that advantageously replaces the easily corroded steel rebar. Our solution, V-ROD!

700, 9e Rue Nord Thetford Mines (Quebec)

G6G 6Z5 CANADAPhone : 418 335.3202

Fax : 418 335.5117www.pultrall.com

4 Field Applications

5 Design and TrainingYour steel reinforcement design is already done? Submit it to us and our team of civil engineers will convert it to V-ROD at absolutely no charge and provide an economical evaluation of your project. Also available, custom tailored training in engineering design of parking garage concrete structures reinforced with composite materials to fit your needs. Contact: service@pultrall.com

Project: Laurier-Tache Parking Garage GATINEAU, QC - 2005Engineering Firm: Harmer Podolak Engineering ConsultantsGeneral Contractor: Genivar ConsultantOwner: PWGSCArea: 1,000 m²Qty. of bars: 20,500 linear metersProduct used: V-ROD Standard (10M (#3), 15M (#5))Type : One-way Slab

Project: Quebec City Hall Parking Garage QUEBEC CITY, QC – 2010Engineering Firm: SNC-LavalinGeneral Contractor: Tro-Chaines Inc.Owner: City of QuebecArea: 340 m²Qty. of bars: 8,800 linear metersProduct used: V-ROD Standard (15M (#5), 20M (#6) and 25M (#8))Type : Two-way Slab

Project: La Chanceliere Parking Garage QUEBEC CITY, QC - 2011Engineering Firm: EMS IngenierieGeneral Contractor: Paveton ConstructionOwner: City of QuebecArea: 2,850 m²Qty. of bars: 40,000 linear metersProduct used: V-ROD HM (15M (#5), 22M (#7), 25M (#8) and 32M (#10))Type : Two-way Slab

NEWSLETTER PARKING GARAGE JANUARY 2012