The Solution for Corrosion

Composite Rebar
for Concrete Structures

Increased Security.
Reduced Life Cycle Cost.

ISO 9001-2000
FM 516533
More Advantages, Less Problems,
Same Work Method

The technology of reinforced concrete is facing a serious degradation problem in structures

due to the corrosion of steel rebar. In North America, the repair costs are estimated to be
close to 300 billion dollars.

Several options have been explored, most notably the use of galvanized steel rebar, epoxy
coated or stainless steel. The results, however, have been disappointing as these solutions
have turned out to be less than effective or cost prohibitive.

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar has proven to be the solution. Lightweight, corrosion
resistant, and offering excellent tensile strength and high mechanical performance, V•ROD
rebar is installed much like steel rebar, but with fewer handling and storage problems.

Raises the Bar

V•ROD rebar gives designers, contractors and owners of structures the following advantages:

Corrosion Resistance. Electrical and Magnetic

V•ROD rebar does not rust, even in the harshest Neutrality.
environments. It does not react to salt, chemical V•ROD rebar does not contain any metal; it will
products or the alkaline present in concrete. not cause any interference in contact with strong
magnetic fields or when operating sensitive elec-
Superior Tensile Strength. tronic instruments.
V•ROD rebar produced by pultrusion offers
a tensile strength up to twice that of steel. Thermal Insulation.
V•ROD rebar does not create a thermal bridge
Thermal Expansion. within structures.
V•ROD rebar offers a level of thermal expansion
comparable to concrete due to its 80% silica content. Lightweight.
V•ROD rebar is 4 times lighter than steel rebar.
It is much easier to handle, and in most cases,
one truck load will be sufficient to supply the rebar
even for an entire project.

Simplified On-Site Management.

V•ROD rebar can be delivered at the right time
and in the exact quantity needed at the site.
After a comparable service life, the corrosion of the Various specifications such as the length, angles or
oxidized steel rebar has degraded the concrete around
it, while the V•ROD rebar is intact and surrounded by bends of special sections are prepared in the plant.
healthy concrete.
Advantages in the Field

It has now been established with documented proof that V•ROD rebar represents an
advantageous solution in a wide range of reinforced concrete applications. What’s more,
it is possible to integrate fibre optic sensors (fiber Bragg gratings) into this rebar to enable
real time remote monitoring of structural integrity.

Engineers have now standardized the product and its applications, enabling the validation
of their quality.

Parapets and Barriers Slabs and Overlays Precast

Bridges and Overpasses

Aluminum Smelters Sea Walls

Waterfront Structures
The Most Remarkable Evolution
since the Beginning of Reinforced Concrete

There is no way around the use of reinforced concrete in the construction of buildings
and structures. However, steel reinforcement can cause expensive problems both in terms
of logistics and in length of service life.

At last, thanks to V•ROD, builders and owners of structures can take advantage
of a major evolution in reinforced concrete technology. This means:
• More secure structures
• Non-existent corrosion
• Reduced life cycle cost of 15 to 30%

The advantages of V•ROD rebar are backed by years of testing and actual field results
in the most demanding conditions. From now on, limitations will lie with the concrete,
and not the reinforcement.
When Safety and Savings Go Together

Fatigue Behaviour (cycles) The use of V•ROD rebar provides very significant savings while
increasing safety for users.
Black Steel

Stainless Savings on Life Cycle Cost

Epoxy Coated
• Given the present value for total costs of maintenance and demolition,
MMFX
using V•ROD technology represents a savings of 45 to 60%.
Galvanized

V-ROD • Given the present value of the overall life cycle cost, using V•ROD
0 100 000 200 000 300 000 400 000 500 000 technology represents a savings of roughly 15 to 25%.
Adimi, M.R., Rahman, A.H., and Benmokrane, B. 2000
• If we add unknown factors such as the fact that fragile epoxy coating
may be compromised due to impact when installing rebar, the savings
Tensile Strength (Mpa)
provided by using FRP increases from 15 to 30%.
Black Steel

Stainless
Construction Savings
Epoxy Coated • V•ROD rebar allows costs to be eliminated related to the use of
MMFX expensive membranes.
Galvanized
• It is possible to use conventional concrete instead of low permeability
V-ROD
concrete with added corrosion inhibitors.
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

• Reduced weight allows for the handling of more rebar at the same
time and reduces installation time.
Corrosion Resistance
(% of residual strength) Increased Safety for Owners and Users

Black Steel • V•ROD rebar is manufactured according to set standards, has been
Stainless approved by ISIS Canada and is included in CSA design standards.
Epoxy Coated • Standard specifications are now available to engineering firms for
MMFX quality control of projects, including independent on-site inspection.
Galvanized
• Installation methods in concrete have been standardized in accor-
V-ROD
dance with those of steel.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Nemkumar Benthia, UBC, M. Boulfiza, U. Saskatchewan. 2004

Life Cycle Cost over 100 Years (relative cost)

Black Steel

Stainless
Epoxy Coated
MMFX

Galvanized

V-ROD
0 1 2 3 4 5

Gordon Spark, U. Manitoba, ISIS Canada. 2005

A Future with Confidence

As a solution for the future, V•ROD rebar is also a solution we can be confident in as
attested by its qualification for and presence in the CSA codes for bridge and building
construction, as well as its adoption under the specific standards of related authorities
in many Canadian provinces, American states and North American cities.

Project design methods have been developed thanks to many pilot projects completed
by the best of Quebec and Canadian expertise under the control of ISIS Canada and
with the participation of reputable researchers such as Mr. Brahim Benmokrance, PhD
Engineering.

Pultrall, The Pultrusion Specialist

Pultrall is dedicated to the manufacturing of composite products using the processes of

pultrusion and compression moulding (sheet moulding compound). Our passion and our
goal is to develop, manufacture and market composite structures produced by pultrusion
in an innovative, competitive and profitable way, thereby working for the success of our
clients, employees and suppliers, while maintaining a respect for the environment.

Get Your Information Right from the Source

Evaluate the real advantages of V•ROD rebar for your project using precise
and comprehensive information. For more information, including white paper data,
contact:

700, 9e Rue Nord

Thetford Mines ( Québec )
PRINTED IN CANADA

CANADA G6G 6Z5

Tel. : 418-335-3202 Fax : 418-335-5117
[email protected]
www.pultrall.com