Fiberglass Rebar FAQs With Adelphia Metals
Fiberglass rebar is a great alternative to steel rebar, its conventional predecessor, in structural applications and construction projects. Also known as glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), the material offers significant strength and performance advantages over steel rebar.
While many contractors and distributors have already discovered the benefits of fiberglass rebar, you may still have questions you’d like answered before adopting the material for your projects. Use these fiberglass rebar FAQs to find your answers in the fiberglass vs. steel rebar debate.
Performance and Strength of Fiberglass Rebar
Is Fiberglass Rebar Stronger Than Steel?
Fiberglass rebar has a tensile strength of 89,900 to 159,500 psi. This is significantly stronger than traditional steel rebar, which has a tensile strength of 60,000 to 80,000 psi.
How Does the Weight of Fiberglass Compare to Steel?
Despite being stronger than steel rebar, fiberglass rebar is much lighter. Fiberglass rebar is typically 1/3 or even 1/4 of the weight of steel rebar. Advantages of this reduced weight include:
- Lighter final weight of your structure
- Easier handling and transportation
- Reduced labor and equipment costs
Installation, Handling, and Fabrication
Can Fiberglass Rebar Be Bent or Cut Onsite?
Fiberglass rebar requires specialized equipment to properly cut or bend it into the desired shape. Otherwise, it’s at risk of chipping and cracking. To cut fiberglass rebar, technicians should use a fine-toothed saw or angle grinder instead of the shears and torches that can cut traditional rebar onsite. While fiberglass rebar is inherently flexible, traditional bent shapes such as 90 degree bends, U bars, or hoops must be formed at the factory. Adelphia Metals stocks standard bends and can custom fabricate specialty shapes to fit your needs.
How Should Fiberglass Rebar Be Handled on the Jobsite, and Does It Require Special Safety Measures?
Use standard safety precautions when handling fiberglass rebar on a worksite. This includes wearing protective gear like long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and safety glasses. It’s non-conductive, and while you won’t have to worry about sparking, you might experience irritated skin from the fiberglass particles without proper PPE. You should also ensure sufficient ventilation to prevent dust inhalation while cutting rebar.
Common Use Cases and Structural Applications
Where Is Fiberglass Rebar Most Effectively Used?
Fiberglass is a versatile material. Because it resists corrosion and rusting, it works well in applications where the risk of steel rebar corroding is too high. Research also shows that Fiberglass Rebar has excellent crack mitigation properties for temperature-shrinkage applications, resulting in it becoming increasingly more common to use a #3 Fiberglass bar in lieu of a #4 steel at the same spacing. These applications include:
- Walls
- Slab-on-ground installations
- Foundations in moist environments
- Residential footings
- Bridges
- Marine structures
What Codes and Approvals Back Fiberglass Rebar?
The International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) is one of several regulatory bodies that have evaluated fiberglass rebar to ensure compliance with essential building codes and performance standards. At Adelphia, we exclusively carry fiberglass rebar that meets ASTM D7957, the recognized industry standard, and fully supports design and use in accordance with ACI 440.11 and other leading engineering guidelines.
Value Propositions for Buyers and Contractors
Why Buy From Adelphia Instead of Direct Manufacturers?
At Adelphia Metals LLC, we specialize in providing our clients with high-quality materials. We have a large distribution network throughout the U.S. made up of more than 50 locations, allowing us to reliably deliver products on time and maintain extensive inventories of popular fiberglass rebar products. If you have project-specific needs, our reliable in-house engineering teams can provide tailored solutions that fit your project parameters, budget, and schedule.
How Does Fiberglass Save Time and Money?
Fiberglass doesn’t just have a higher tensile strength than conventional steel rebar. It can also help companies save time and money by:
- Lowers transportation costs compared to heavier steel rebar, thanks to its lightweight composition
- Reduces labor demands and related expenses through a high strength-to-weight ratio that simplifies handling and installation
- Minimizes long-term maintenance and replacement due to superior durability and corrosion resistance
- Allows material optimization by replacing #4 steel with more cost-effective #3 fiberglass rebar in low-crack-risk applications
- Offers a budget-friendly alternative to premium non-corrosive steel options, providing value without compromising performance
While steel rebar requires less of a financial investment upfront, fiberglass rebar is a more cost-efficient option as a long-term solution.
Fiberglass Rebar FAQs Explained by Adelphia Metals
While steel rebar is a conventional choice, the benefits of fiberglass rebar can significantly increase the profitability and success of your future construction projects. Make sure you have the right supplies for every job by sourcing your fiberglass rebar through Adelphia Metals believes in bringing you the right products for the right applications. While steel rebar remains the primary solution for many projects, Fiberglass rebar can deliver a lower up front cost option for many low demand crack mitigation applications while also providing life cycle savings when corrosion is a concern. Contact us today to learn more about our products or to place your order.
