New factory offers alternative to steel rebar

Composite Rebar
Composite rebar is not new. The history goes back at least 20 years. There have been a number of papers presented world wide on the benefits of non-corroding rebar. ACI 440 committee has written a design guidleline that is an excellent source of information. Canada (ISIS) has tested, installed and re-tested a number of early bridge decks that were reinforced with composite rebar. Dr Ben Mokrane of the University of Sherbrooke or Dr. Hota GangaRoa of West Virginia University are but 2 leading researchers in N. America that have actually installed composite rebars and have written excellent papers on the subject. Two companies actually making composite rebars are Putrall (www.pultrall.com) and Hughes Brothers (www.hughesbros.com). They are but two leading manufactures of composite rebar for reinforcing concrete and masonary materials. The issues for composite rebar are two fold: 1) cost, as the resin and glass fiber(or carbon fiber) are more costly than steel; and, 2) the modulus of glass fiber composites are lower than steel. Thus the use of composites have a higher installed price, but as is pointed out are far superior in aggressive environments where moisture or corrosion (or both) are critical issues. Other advantages are in non-magneted signitures (MRI rooms, airports, etc.) and in lighter weight structure as composite rebar is 1/4 the weight of steel. Concrete cover can also be reduced as the rebar does not need to be "protected" from salt ion penetration. Potable water availability and salt contaminated sand are two interesting sidebar issues that could lower the cost of concrete as "clean" water and sand are not required for making concrete. The Kennedy estate in FL was repaired this way with shotcrete walls made of C-Bar. Salt spray and tides on the oceanfront property had no effect on the composite rebar/grid used 13 years ago. John Busel, past chairman of ACI 440 and Director of Business Development at the American Composites Manufactures Assoc 914-961-8007 is another main contact in this area.

Alternative to Rebars
New technology is always costlier. But, irrespective of all factors, at this stage, we should welcome the fact that technology has finally moved from table to commercial production.

alternative to steel rebar
I am pleased to see this article on net regarding alternative to steel rebar. There are always alternatives to all products but cost and practicality of the product matters much.

Alternative to Steel Rebar
It is very interesting and definitely need a good thought, though some of the core questions need to be clarified : 1. Is it really a replacement for Steel Rebar or is it meant only for certain difficult soil conditions. But the question than comes up is if it can replace traditional steel rebar in difficult conditions than why not for normal usage ? 3. If the answer to the above 2 question is +ve than what is the cost benefit and if the same has been approved by the relevant authorities.

reply to question from Aji re: fluctuating steel prices
This product is not intended to compete with Steel for standard applications. It is for difficult environments, where steel is unsuitable, generally due to corrosion issues. It is a specialist product. Therefore, I doubt it will have any stabilising influence on steel rebar.

rebar
Well...it will be helpful, if the manufacturer had posted a through analysis of this 'alternate' to steel rebar...still sounds quite interesting...bring it on

alternative to steel rebar
will this be the factor to control fluctuating rebar prices?