Sustainability of FRP:
FRP is one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any material, it is strong and durable, ready for years of dependable use. Unlike steel, timber or aluminum, FRP has memory, springing back to its original shape when deflected. Even major impacts inflict little damage without failure.
FRP can also be custom designed and fabricated to provide the distinct reinforcing functions to meet the specific strength and corrosion and abrasion resistance requirements.
The excellence of Grating FRP products lies in the superior quality, versatility, and reliability we offer. Crafted with precision and adherence to the strictest industry compliance standards, these products offer exceptional durability and performance. Their customizable nature ensures a perfect fit for diverse project requirements, while innovative designs and technology guarantee cutting-edge solutions.
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) (also called fiber-reinforced plastic) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers.
Characteristics of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
Light Weight
Reducing transportation costs and potential occupational health and safety hazards for workers.
Non-Conductive
Reducing risks of electrocution and making this a versatile use product.
High Strength
FRP products provide ultimate strength with very high safety factors. Since FRP material is not as stiff as other competitive construction materials; stiffness performance requirements drive the design of many of our FRP products. Deflection criteria has become one of the most important performances checks we utilize. In addition, static tests of FRP products have clearly demonstrated that FRP greatly exceeds specified performance requirements and provides competitively high safety factors – making it a strong performance competitor to other traditional structural materials.
Quick Installation Time
Fabricating customised FRP in a factory and shipping them to your site offers several advantages over many other alternative products. This includes quality can be closely monitored in a controlled environment; the potential for weather delays can be greatly reduced; and most significantly, project down-time can be substantially reduced. Once a superstructure is prepared, prefabricated FRP can be installed quickly, compared to other labor-intensive processes.
Corrosion Resistant
Because FRP materials are not susceptible to corrosion, FRP products offer a great alternative to conventional materials for this major maintenance issue. This benefit is most important in cold climates with snow or coastal areas with salt water. FRP materials have demonstrated excellent durability in corrosive chemical environments for 50 years without degradation.
Lower Life Cycle Costst
Corrosion resistance results in very low maintenance of FRP products, which translates to lower future maintenance costs. It also means that FRP products will last longer than traditional materials. These add up to lower life cycle costs for FRP.
Environmental Resistance
Compared with steel, timber or other construction materials, FRP is the most economical and efficient solution for harsh industrial and demanding structural construction. FRP is also able to withstand severe weather conditions of Australia.
A Better Option for the Environment and Business Expense
Durability That Beats Other Industry Options Over, and Over
BAL40 Tested with ISO 45001:2018 & 9001:2015 Certified Practice
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles represent a progressive leap in sustainable construction materials. Engineered from advanced composite technology, these products are manufactured using high-strength glass fibres bonded with thermosetting resins, producing lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and non-conductive solutions ideal for harsh and otherwise classically dangerous environments.
Our FRP Grating range includes options such as Mini Mesh, Micro Mesh, Square Mesh, Solid Top, Anti-Slip Surface – all-encompassing as a Fire-Retardant Series – while our Structural Profiles holds a product line of various angles, I-Beams, square tubes, C-Channels and other custom pultrusions. These products are suitable for a wide range of applications – from marine and mining to public infrastructure, industrial walkways, and architectural projects.
Designed for long-term durability and minimal maintenance, our FRP range boasts excellent mechanical performance, high chemical resistance, UV stability, and built-in anti-slip finishes. By reducing the need for frequent replacements or repairs – common with timber, steel, or aluminium – our products substantially lower lifecycle emissions and resource usage.
Backed by rigorous testing and compliance with Australian and international standards (including AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and AS1657:2018), our products deliver reliable, industry-proven performance. Their inherent flexibility enables custom design solutions tailored to client needs – a key advantage in sustainable construction.
By offering an alternative that is not only environmentally sound, but also versatile, durable, and cost-efficient, Grating FRP Australia’s product suite is redefining the future of industrial and architectural design.
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles champion sustainability by delivering high-performance, low-impact alternatives to traditional construction materials. Engineered from fibre-reinforced polymers, these products are designed to reduce environmental burden at every stage – from manufacture through to long-term use and end-of-life.
Unlike steel or timber, FRP does not corrode, rot, or require chemical treatments, minimising the need for harsh coatings or repeated maintenance that contributes to environmental degradation. Its extreme durability and long service life drastically reduce material turnover, conserving resources and lowering embodied carbon over time.
The lightweight nature of FRP also plays a critical sustainability role. Reduced weight leads to lower emissions during transportation and easier handling onsite, which decreases the energy demand and safety risks associated with heavy machinery. This efficiency is particularly valuable in remote or difficult-to-access environments such as marine walkways, mining platforms, or infrastructure upgrades.
Our manufacturing process promotes sustainability through efficient material use, low-VOC resin systems, and waste reduction strategies. Offcuts are repurposed where possible, and customised moulding ensures minimal surplus production.
Another feature is when temporary installations are decommissioned, FRP components can be removed without damage, then reused, refabricated, or reinstalled into new projects. This promotes circularity and helps reduce construction waste – a growing priority for sustainable building practices.
Additionally, FRP’s inert, non-toxic characteristics make it a safe choice for sensitive ecological zones, including water treatment plants, wetlands, and coastal sites. It leaches no harmful substances, contributing to healthier ecosystems and improved occupational health for installers and users.
Beyond physical characteristics, FRP aligns with future-focused design principles. Its modularity and design flexibility allow for leaner builds, minimal wastage, and easier end-of-life disassembly. The product’s ability to maintain strength and performance in harsh conditions further extends infrastructure lifespans – reducing the frequency of repairs, replacements, and associated environmental costs.
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles deliver a series of market-leading innovations that advance both sustainability and structural performance across industries.
- Lightweight, high-strength engineering:
Our FRP components are up to 75% lighter than steel while maintaining high tensile and flexural strength. This reduces installation complexity, cuts transport emissions, and improves manual handling safety on-site.
- Bendable and mouldable structural profiles:
A major innovation lies in our ability to custom-mould and bend structural profiles such as I-beams without compromising material integrity. Unlike steel or aluminium, which can deform under pressure or heat treatment, our FRP maintains structural performance during reshaping. This allows for greater flexibility in architectural and infrastructure design – especially in curved or non-linear applications – and supports more efficient material use – an offering no other Australian FRP company is capacitating.
- Advanced surface textures:
Our Mesh and Solid Top Gratings are embedded with high-traction anti-slip surfaces that exceed AS 4586 slip resistance standards, even in wet or corrosive conditions – essential for public access compliance and worker safety.
- Fire-retardant resin systems:
We offer Class 2 fire-rated FRP options (Only BAL40 Certified supplier in Australia), making our products ideal for bushfire-prone zones, industrial sites, and public structures.
- Corrosion and chemical resistance:
Our FRP materials resist rust, rot, and chemical attack, outperforming steel and timber in wastewater, marine, and mining environments.
- Integrated colour + UV protection:
Pigmentation is built into the resin and supported by UV inhibitors, eliminating the need for painting and preserving visual and structural integrity over time.
- Design versatility + modularity:
Our range supports modular construction, custom profiles, and retrofit solutions, offering unmatched freedom for engineers and architects.
- Low-maintenance lifecycle:
With no need for sandblasting, welding, or repainting, our FRP significantly reduces upkeep – lowering both operational costs and environmental impact.
Our FRP Grating and Structural Profiles exceed several industry benchmarks, particularly in areas of safety, durability, and compliance for industrial and public applications.
- Slip Resistance:
Our Mesh Grating options exceed AS 4586 slip resistance classification for wet surfaces, achieving ratings suitable for ramps and public accessways, even in demanding environments like wastewater facilities or marine walkways.
- Fire Retardancy:
Fire-resistant variants of our grating are manufactured to meet BS 476 Part 7 Class 2 fire safety requirements – an essential feature for installations in bushfire-prone regions or industrial sites. We are the only BAL40 Certified supplier in Australia for FRP products. - View Our BAL40 Certification and Testing Reports Here >
- Structural Standards:
Products comply with and exceed loading and span requirements set by AS 1657:2018 for walkways, platforms, and stairs. Our structural profiles also meet high-performance requirements for strength-to-weight ratio, supporting long spans without additional supports.
- ISO Certification:
Grating FRP Australia operates under a certified Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and Occupational Health & Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018), demonstrating our commitment to consistent quality and safe production methods. - View Our Certifications Here >
- UV and Chemical Resistance:
Our materials demonstrate high resistance to UV degradation and chemical exposure, exceeding durability expectations in coastal, industrial, or high-sunlight environments.
- Sustainability Alignment:
Although FRP is not yet formally covered in Green Star or NABERS pathways, our products align with core sustainability principles recognised by ISO 14001 frameworks and circular design strategies – offering extended lifespans, low embodied energy, reuse potential and waste minimisation. - View Our Sustainability Report Here >
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles offer a distinctly more sustainable alternative to conventional materials such as steel, timber, and aluminium.
- Traditional materials often require frequent maintenance, protective coatings, or total replacement due to corrosion, rot, or environmental degradation. In contrast, FRP is inherently resistant to rust, moisture, saltwater, and chemical exposure – making it ideal for long-term use in marine, mining, wastewater, and coastal applications. This longevity reduces both material waste and the environmental footprint associated with frequent refurbishments or replacements.
- Additionally, FRP is significantly lighter than steel (up to 75% less weight), resulting in reduced emissions during transport and less reliance on heavy lifting equipment during installation. This directly lowers the energy consumption associated with material logistics and on-site operations.
- Unlike timber, FRP does not require harvesting from forests, pressure treatments, or pesticide applications. It does not leach toxins and is inert once installed – making it safer for use in environmentally sensitive areas.
- In projects where infrastructure is temporary – in example: mining dongas, portable camp flooring, or short-term platforms – FRP panels and profiles can be removed without damage and reused or repurposed for future applications. This modularity and reusability offer a circular alternative in industries where waste from one-time-use building materials is a growing concern.
- Manufactured with low-VOC resins and efficient pultrusion or moulding techniques, our products also support low-emissions production. Offcut reuse and the option for post-consumer recycling further enhance the sustainability profile.
By addressing the full spectrum of environmental concerns – from raw material sourcing and energy efficiency to end-of-life recovery – our FRP products enable clients to meet green building goals without compromising on performance or safety. It’s not just an alternative – it’s a smarter, cleaner evolution of industrial material design.
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles are manufactured with a strong commitment to sustainability, from raw material selection through to end-product delivery.
- Our manufacturing processes utilise low-VOC thermosetting resin systems, which emit fewer volatile organic compounds than traditional alternatives. This contributes to better air quality during production and reduces environmental impact during curing. The materials we use – including high-quality glass fibres and resin compounds – are selected for their durability, minimising the need for resource-intensive replacements over time.
- The pultrusion and moulding techniques we employ are highly efficient, generating minimal waste and ensuring consistent quality. These processes require less energy than traditional steel or metal fabrication and do not involve galvanising, welding, or chemical surface treatments – all of which are energy- and emissions-intensive.
- Where possible, we repurpose offcuts and surplus materials into other usable forms, significantly reducing landfill contribution. Additionally, we offer project-specific cutting and moulding, reducing unnecessary material waste at the source.
- We operate under an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and an ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, which guide not only the quality of our products but also how we protect our workforce and reduce process inefficiencies. Our site policies also support responsible energy use and workplace recycling protocols.
- By comparison to traditional materials such as steel (which requires mining, smelting, galvanising, and surface protection), our FRP products have a lower embodied energy, especially when considered over a multi-decade lifecycle.
- Because our products are lightweight, they also reduce emissions during transportation – allowing for more material to be moved with less fuel per load, further decreasing the carbon footprint.
In every aspect of production, Grating FRP Australia focuses on minimising environmental impact while maximising product durability and circularity – ensuring our solutions align with the future of green infrastructure.
Yes – Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles can be recycled, with an estimated recoverable material value of up to 80%, depending on the installation, application type, and condition at end-of-life.
- Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is a thermoset composite, which means it does not melt like thermoplastics but can still be mechanically recycled through crushing, shredding, and reprocessing. At end-of-life, FRP can be repurposed into secondary construction products, such as filler material for concrete, asphalt additives, or incorporated into low-grade composite boards for infrastructure and landscaping use.
- Our manufacturing approach also allows for project-specific disassembly. In temporary or modular installations – such as decking for mine site dongas, platforms, and transportable facilities – FRP panels and structural components can be removed intact and reused or refabricated for future projects. This contributes to a circular use model, which significantly reduces material waste and demand for virgin resources.
- During production, we further support sustainability by reusing offcuts and surplus grating wherever possible and additionally offer custom fabrication to reduce off-cut wastage.
While thermoset FRP cannot currently be recycled into high-performance structural materials in the same way metals can be, ongoing developments in FRP pyrolysis and chemical separation are expected to enhance recyclability rates in the near future. Grating FRP Australia actively monitors these technologies to align with evolving circular economy standards.
Ultimately, by enabling an estimated 80%+ material recovery potential through reuse, mechanical recycling, and design-for-disassembly practices, our FRP products offer a far more sustainable end-of-life pathway than many traditional materials like timber (which rots) or galvanised steel (which corrodes and delaminates under environmental stress).
Grating FRP Australia’s FRP Grating and Structural Profiles meet or exceed a wide range of Australian and international standards related to safety, quality, performance, and environmental responsibility.
- Structural and Safety Standards:
AS 1657:2018 – Compliant for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders. Our grating exceeds load-bearing and span capacity requirements, offering safe, stable access solutions for industrial and public environments.
AS 4586:2013 – Our Mesh and Solid Top Grating exceed slip resistance classifications for wet and dry environments, delivering high-performance anti-slip surfaces suitable for public accessways and high-risk sites.
BS 476 Part 7 (Class 2) – Our fire-retardant FRP variants meet this fire safety rating, making them suitable for use in bushfire-prone zones, tunnels, and industrial applications where fire risk must be mitigated.
- Quality and Occupational Health & Safety:
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System – Our processes are certified under this international standard, ensuring consistency, reliability, and continuous improvement in production and customer service.
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System – This certification affirms our commitment to safe working environments and proactive risk management throughout manufacturing and handling.
- Environmental and Industry Best Practice:
While FRP products are not yet formally integrated into Green Star or NABERS certifications, our materials align with ISO 14001 environmental principles, supporting low-VOC production, reduced embodied carbon, and minimal maintenance over a long product lifecycle.
- Our products are also consistent with industry sustainability expectations in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, marine, wastewater, and architectural design – meeting both regulatory and client-driven environmental standards.
By delivering consistent compliance and often exceeding minimum thresholds across multiple categories, Grating FRP Australia sets a new standard for performance, safety, and sustainability in composite infrastructure materials.
Composites for Construction and Rehabilitation Statement & Data
As we are aware, the challenge facing the world is lowering its carbon emissions. This was first internationally recognized in the Kyoto Protocol agreement of 1997, which states that countries must lower their GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions or penalties will be incurred.
The construction industry makes up 22.3% of carbon emissions according to the European Commission for Emissions document, with the energy sector still emitting more (38.2%) and transport at 23.1% (European Commission, 2010). There are options to make this better for construction even in times of financial difficulties but this must be done as a personal responsibility, in order for change to occur globally. The United States of America is the largest carbon contributor, emitting 25.2% of all emissions, China is second with 15.2% then Russia with 6.7% and other industrial countries such as Japan, India, Germany and the UK not producing more than 5% (Nation Master 2010). However, this is justified by their size and populations as well as their contribution to the global economy.
Steel is widely used in the construction industry and in the year of 2011, it was predicted that 1306mmt (million metric tonnes) would be used, a record level (Recycling Portal 2010).
DURABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF FIBRE REINFORCED POLYMER (FRP) COMPOSITES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION
Steel has a high carbon footprint, in particular high yield steel, which is preferred in construction, due to more carbon being used to produce a high yield strength and FRP carbon emissions are less than that of steel. Therefore, the continued trend of FRP rebar being used in preference to steel will lower our carbon emissions over time in construction.
The life cycle costing must be equal to, if not less than that of steel for FRP to seriously make a difference to industry. A negative aspect of some FRP production in terms of materials is the polymer manufacture, which can be made from fossil fuels. However, FRP contains the polymer, polysiloxane. Which is vastly abundant and easily synthesized from siloxanes. Although this is greatly negative for some FRP, we must not only look at the long-term benefits of FRP, with respect to carbon emissions.
As well as the direct benefits of FRP, there are indirect benefits with construction, such as incorporating FRP with concrete. The light weight rebars and a higher tensile capacity allows for lighter weight structures. This in turn provides for less concrete and less cover is necessary to protect the rebars from aggressive environments.
Sustainability has evolved in meaning over the years. The original definition was coined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’, stated in the Brundtland report in 1987 (World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), 1987). In essence, sustainability must protect the present and the future; therefore the following aspects have been identified as important in this paper > Read Next.
Construction accounts for 30.6% of GDP worldwide (CIA, 2010) and therefore, has a massive influence on the world economy. FRP continues to get cheaper and with greater developments being continually made to FRP to make them better in construction. That said it is still more expensive than Steel (Burgoyne and Balafas, 2007).
With that in mind, can FRP be economically more viable that steel?
We should not disregard FRP because the cost of manufacture is greater than that of steel, as the life cycle costing and other ‘hidden’ costs, (such as for repairs) are not included. FRP also gives the opportunity to design for specialized buildings with longer life spans, and many research papers have concluded that the life cycle costing for FRP is more beneficial for FRP as seen in Nishizaki’s research. Nishizaki concluded that although the initial costs are high, when longer life spans are necessary FRP is an efficient choice of material (Nishizaki et al., 2006).
The very properties of FRP make them sustainable – Polysiloxane, the polymer commonly used for FRP, is an inorganic polymer which is already oxidized due to the Si-O bond and consequently does not suffer from oxidation effects, unlike steel. This property in turn allows for a much greater service life and lower maintenance with fewer necessary repairs. Moreover, Polysiloxane’s have high resistance to UV light and temperature (Norman R. Mowrer, 2003).
CFRP, GFRP and BFRP all have the same if not greater tensile capacity in comparison to steel. They are also lightweight (lighter than steel) and have specific stiffness; these properties add to the repertoire for FRP being good to construct with. The recent studies into chemical testing with BFRP has shown great resistance to acid and alkali resistance. This inertness is a great property to ensure longer life spans of structures. The high resistance to temperature has also made BFRP a choice in structures for enhancing the fire resistance of structures as commented by Matthys et al (2009).
There are definitive phases that a construction material must go through in its life.
These are:
- Manufacture
- Construction
- Mid-Life
- Life Expansion
- End of Life
As commented by Burgan and Bassam (2006); these are discussed in relation to FRP usage.
FRP rebar is undoubtedly more difficult to manufacture than steel at present. However, the carbon emissions and the impact to the environment are less with FRP. Steel contributes greatly to carbon emissions and temperatures of a little under 1400°C are required constantly, therefore large amounts of energy are used.
In order to manufacture Glass, Carbon and Basalt fibers, temperatures of up to 2400°C are used (Lee and Jain, 2009), which is greater than steel, but currently less FRP is being made and the process of manufacture is continually being refined. Both FRP and steel rely on fossil fuels to be burnt (Gerdeen et al., 2006), which are not in infinite supply and this is of concern as Lee and Jain (2009) point out in their paper outlining the role of FRP.
The abundance of Siloxane (which is any compound containing R2SiO) and Basalt (volcanic rock) for BFRP, make BFRP a particularly sustainable choice of FRP for the future as well as the products necessary for CFRP and GFRP.
Some of these chemicals are rare (Ti for example) and can be hazardous, but for BFRP and GFRP they are naturally found in the production of the compounds and therefore not added. Also, when controlled they are no greater a threat to the environment than the by-products of steel (carbon as for CO2 a GHG and unwanted products from the slag).
As for the abundance of materials glass fibers (as SiO2) for FRP (in particular GFRP) are in great supply and is easily manufactured using thermosetting plastics such as unsaturated polyester.
Carbon for CFRP too is sustainable to reuse in construction and is greatly available from graphite.
Basalt Fiber is made by the direct extraction of basalt rock (volcanic) from selected quarries. The rock is then crushed into an extremely fine dust. This basalt dust is then attached to the polysiloxane polymer, thus reinforcing the polymer.
With this argument of materials being in abundance the same can be argued for steel as iron is the 4th most abundant element of the planet, although the manufacture of steel could be seen to be more harmful to the environment, as the materials required for FRP are more readily available than smelting steel from the extraction of iron ore.
The single greatest disadvantage for FRP has been the lack of design codes. Burgoyne and Balafas stated in 2007 that this was a main contributor to why FRP is not a financial success. Taketo Uomoto (2007) also agreed that efforts needed to be made for design codes for FRP and this would mean greater ease and use of FRP in buildings and not just as an alternative material.
Indeed, great efforts have now been made and there are now design codes in many countries such as America (although a Eurocode is now been developed) and this is due to the continual interest in FRP as seen in all research and specifically the document ACI 440.1R-06 (Ospina and Gross, 2006). The lack of sufficiently developed design codes has not stopped engineers building with FRP, however, and indeed the properties of FRP compliment the building industry well. Their lighter weight makes the construction process safer, boosting the construction industries poor health and safety record. This also boosts the construction time of buildings as seen by (Lee and Jain, 2009). The UK has seen this directly with domes and mosques been made in cheaper and faster fashion (Kendall, 2007).
Life expansion is easy with the rebars as other external FRP can be retrofitted which mirrors the structural behavior of the internal rebars. The properties of FRP compliment strengthening buildings in need of repair and this has been a market that has greatly boosted the use of FRP. It is always of benefit to extend the service life of a structure as far fewer resources are required than to demolish and re-build.
This compliments the ideology of sustainability with reuse of buildings. FRP also do not require methods like cathode protection due to their inertness to corrosion and would only require standard monitoring techniques with sensors and monitoring the deflection of the beam in order to ensure that the beam is not failing.
With rebars there is very little waste as the design is established well before the build so the amount used is the amount ordered (waste minimalization). That said, the waste of FRP becomes an issue in demolition.
Steel offers benefits that FRP in general does not; steel is readily reusable and recyclable and there are large businesses that specialize in this. Steel is easily processed from the waste concrete and then recycled, but the reprocessing of steel also produces CO2 emissions.
FRP can also be reused in other aspects such as crushing it down into aggregate (dispersed reinforcement). Patents have now been passed for the recycling of waste FRP, as seen by (Kamite et al., 2008) and this is a major step of many to come for the recyclability of FRP.
There are other methods of using chemical substances to break down the resin from the polymers, however this is an expensive and hazardous solution, but with waste of plastics being a growing problem there are many initiatives in to process FRP.
The main issue with recycling and therefore reusing FRP is the way in which they are manufactured, as identified by Bartholomew (2004). FRP are highly engineered polymers designed for long lifespans. Therefore, they demand somewhat high amounts of energy (as they have high calorific values) making incineration with energy recovery troublesome to the operators as well (Halliwell, 2009).
FRP waste is in general non-hazardous, however only the dust particles (which are only produced in cuttings during the manufacture stage) have been studied in laboratory conditions and have been seen to be harmful, although much less in comparison to other construction materials (Hesterberga et al 2010; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2004).
FRP waste according to the European waste list 2000/532/EC, is classified under several codes (CEFIC Tecnical Bulletin, 2006) and these must be known in order to organise waste correctly and legally in Europe. Possibly the most commonly used for construction purposes at the demolition stage would be CEFIC – 17 02 03. However, this would depend on the state of the FRP; as stated before it can be classified into Hazardous waste ‘within the H1 to H14 list of Annex III of EC Hazardous Waste Directive (CEFIC Technical Bulletin, 2006).
Halliwell’s paper on Recycling FRP materials, comments on FRP being difficult to reuse, as it is difficult to ascertain the loading properties of pre-used FRP beams, and this can be a lengthy process. FRP waste is also predicted to double, from some 156,000t being used in 2000 to a predicted 304,000t in 2015 (Harbers, 2002).
FRP is a material that has the capacity to allow for greater service life and greater life cycle costing for construction of structures.
FRP are cost effective in many aspects, have higher strengths, greater resistance to aggressive environments and are sustainable in our current global environment. Certainly, FRP have their disadvantages in comparison to steel; they are not always as readily reusable and there is no established design code in the EU. The finalization of the design code worldwide and standardization of FRP materials will ensure the future of FRP.
In terms of manufacture, FRP offers great sustainability and great promise to the world of construction.
While FRP can be recycled, it is not usually economically feasible currently. However, in most of the applications studied to date, production of virgin FRP parts actually consumes less energy and produces less greenhouse effect than recycling of steel and aluminum. For instance: A study comparing the energetic values (exergy) of various material options for construction of a pedestrian bridge yielded these results:
A Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) study of steel, aluminum and FRP composites, in a number of applications also indicated a clear advantage in energy usage for composites over recycled steel and from near parity to clear advantage over recycled aluminum.
Plasti-Fab Recycles and Reuses Fiberglass in Composites Manufacturing. Composites Week, No. 14, Vol. 12, April 5, 2010.
Daniel, Ryszard A., Environmental Considerations to Structural Material Selection for a Bridge. European Bridge Engineering Conference, Rotterdam, March 2003.
Jakubcin, Gary – LCACP. A Life Cycle Assessment Approach in Examining Composite Raw Materials, Steel and Aluminum Materials Used in the Manufacturing of Structural Components. Report prepared for Strongwell, Inc., June 19, 2009.
The LCI did not include energy required for the pultrusion of composite material (small), the re-melting, rolling and fabrication of recycled aluminum ingots (large) nor the shaping and cutting of recycled steel plate for required parts (moderate). In general, including all energy required for each material is believed to further favor composites.
Data for 100% recycle aluminum extrapolated from that for 0%, 50% and 80% cited in the report.
Calculated as 75% of energy required for steel production cited in the report.
The following diagram represents the relationship to various “Green” issues.
To further reduce the overall environmental footprint of FRP composites, conservation improvements are underway within manufacturing. These have already yielded significant reductions in the usage of energy, solvents and landfill capacity, along with reduced generation of scrap, waste and emissions.
ACMA are confident that expanded studies currently underway will continue to demonstrate that FRP composites are exceptionally eco-friendly.
Bio-resins and natural reinforcement fibers are now available and are beginning to appear in some new products.
Continued research by resin and reinforcement manufacturers is expected to result in additional options for the FRP industry to further improve its position as the preferred GREEN solution for construction materials.
We believe that FRP composites are already the best choice for reduced environmental impact, longer service life, and greater sustainability. And, unlike metals which have little potential for improvement, FRP materials will become even better.
Technical Properties of FRP
The below table shows the typical average property values for FRP members constructed of both Isophthalic and Vinyl Ester Resin bases with E type Glass Fibers.
Independent testing by Bureau Veritas in Australia of such samples have produced a result of:
Tensile Strength LW = 430 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity LW = 33.631 GPa
Typical Coupon Properties
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | ASTM | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength LW | D-638 | MPa | 207 |
| Tensile Strength CW | D-638 | MPa | 48 |
| Tensile Strength Modulus LW | D-638 | GPa | 17.2 |
| Tensile Strength Modulus CW | D-638 | GPa | 5.5 |
| Compressive Strength LW | D-695 | MPa | 207 |
| Compressive Strength CW | D-695 | MPa | 103 |
| Compressive Strength Modulus LW | D-695 | GPa | 17.2 |
| Compressive Strength Modulus CW | D-695 | GPa | 6.9 |
| Flexural Strength LW | D-790 | MPa | 207 |
| Flexural Strength CW | D-790 | MPa | 69 |
| Flexural Modulus LW | D-790 | GPa | 12.4 |
| Flexural Modulus CW | D-790 | GPa | 5.5 |
| Modulus of Elasticity E | Full Section | GPa | 19.3 |
| Shear Modulus | D-5379 | GPa | 3.1 |
| Short Beam Shear | D-2344 | MPa | 31 |
| Punch Shear | D-732 | MPa | 69 |
| Bearing Strength LW | D-953 | MPa | 207 |
| Notched Izod Impact LW | D-256 | KJ/m | 1.33 |
| Notched Izod Impact CW | D-256 | KJ/m | 0.21 |
| PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | ASTM | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcol Hardness | D-2538 | / | 45 |
| 24 Hours Water Absorption | D-570 | % max | 0.45 |
| Density | D-792 | g/cm3 | 1.72 ~ 1.9 4 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | D-696 | 10-6 in/ in/ degrees Celsius | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES | ASTM | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc Resistance LW | D-495 | Seconds | 120 |
| Dielectric Strength LW | D-149 | KV/ in | 35 |
| Dielectric Strength CW | D-149 | Volts/ mil | 200 |
| Dielectric Strength PF | D-150 | @60hz | 5 |
| FLAMMABILITY PROPERTIES | ASTM | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunnel Test | E-84 | Flame Speed | 25 or Less |
| Flammability | D-635 | / | Non-Burning |
| NBS Smoke Chamber | E-662 | Smoke Density | 600-700 |
What People Have To Say About Us
See How Our Projects and Collaborations Have Made a Difference:
Project Case Study: FRP – Luna Park Sydney Roller Coaster Refurbishment – Access Grating Upgrade
The access gantry refurbishment at Luna Park was delivered on time and fully aligned with both regulatory and aesthetic requirements.
Murwillumbah Rowing Club – Boat Ramp Restoration Using FRP
The Murwillumbah Rowing Club Boat Ramp Restoration is a community-driven infrastructure revitalization project addressing severe erosion damage from the 2022 Tweed River floods.
Project Case Study: Menangle Pedestrian Bridge for Christie Civil
Grating FRP Australia was contracted to supply a lightweight, durable, and visually refined alternative to traditional concrete decking for a pedestrian bridge in Menangle, NSW. The goal was to meet long-term safety and performance requirements while reducing project cost and time-to-completion.
Beyond Steel: How Fibre Reinforced Polymer Is Redefining Modern Infrastructure – A Conversation with Shane Crookes
Discover how Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is transforming infrastructure across Australia with insights from Shane Crookes of Grating FRP Australia.
We sat down and talked all things innovation, infrastructure and industry methods for the FRP space. Here what we learned from our very own industry expert.
Project Case Study: FRP Mountain Cross Bridges for Synergy Trails
The FRP mountain bike bridges were successfully installed across the remote Mt Kembla trail alignment. The end result was a high-performance infrastructure solution that met all project objectives: longevity, user safety, fast installation, and environmental protection. The trail was made operational in time for its seasonal usage cycle, with excellent feedback from both the client and end users.
Project Case Study: Port Kembla Beach Viewing Platform – FRP Supply for Structure
Port Kembla Beach Viewing Platform – FRP Supply for Structure: The viewing platform is located adjacent to Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club car park off Cowper St, overlooking Port Kembla beach and connected to the Grand Pacific Walk shared path.
Project Case Study: FRP Beach Walkway Access
FRP Supply for Beach Walkway Access – “A lot of people go fishing and surfing down there and were carrying a bit of weight up them. They get a lot of use and we used that to determine the need for structure and what level to go to. Sandpatch is a place that everyone goes to and more people will want to go down the stairs now rather than stay at the top.”
Project Case Study: Mangrove Cove Culminated FRP Walkway
Mangrove Cove in Kalgulup Regional Park has become home to a new 190-metre-long boardwalk, replacing the site’s 20-year-old walkway with a new FRP culmination and c-channel supports.
