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What you need to know about #SFT-ARGlassFiber

What you need to know about #SFT-ARGlassFiber

Alkali resistant (AR) glass fibers are a great modern way of reinforcing your concrete/cement mix, while not having to compromise quality or strength. Concrete is a multi-purpose material and is strong on its own, but depending on the project you are working on, it is often beneficial to use some sort of material to reinforce it, and in this case, we are looking at why alkali resistant (AR) glass fibers, or SFT-AR GlassFiber, can make a difference in your construction.  What are alkali resistant (AR) glass fibers? Alkali resistant (AR) glass fibers are specifically designed to be used in concrete…
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FAQ Related to FRP rebar Answered

FAQ Related to FRP rebar Answered

It’s not always easy to find the answers we are looking for, especially when it comes to technical information related to construction material. This is where SFTec’s specialists can help.  Our vast industry knowledge allows us to provide you with all the information you need to understand the benefits of FRP rebar and to evaluate if it is a good solution for your next concrete-based structure project (it likely is!). Here are some of our most common questions, answered.  What is FRP rebar? Although this material has existed for a very long time (since WWII to be exact), it is…
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How SFT-Bar can help you save on costs

How SFT-Bar can help you save on costs

By now, you are pretty familiar with the benefits of using FRP rebar instead of steel in your concrete-based projects. If not, here are a few articles that can help. All these advantages are great, but at what cost? When evaluating the different materials to use in your project, one cannot deny the influence of costs on the final decision. It is often the determining factor in said project. Therefore, the most important question to answer is how can SFT-Bar help you save on costs? Continue reading to find out. Transport Costs Transport costs are unavoidable in the construction of…
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Concrete-based bridges: Top 5 things to consider

Concrete-based bridges: Top 5 things to consider

Source used as reference: https://extremehowto.com/build-your-own-bridge/ What would we do without bridges? It is extremely easy to take these structures for granted because of the numerous bridges we encounter on a daily basis. As we have seen in recent events, they need to be maintained in order to keep serving their purpose, or we would have to rebuild them from scratch. In the case where we have to build, or rebuild, a concrete-based bridge project, there are several important things to consider. Here are the top 5.  1. Planning and Jurisdiction Based on the location of the bridge you would like…
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What you need to know about SFT-Bar

What you need to know about SFT-Bar

To understand the benefits of SFT-Bar, it is important to get a good understanding of FRP rebar. FRP (Fibreglass Reinforced Polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. Several materials can serve as fibres, including, glass, basalt, carbon or aramid. Regardless of the material, SFT-Bar is the preferred choice for concrete-based projects due to their many advantages. Why Use SFT-Bar Instead of Steel? Depending on the type of concrete project, it is important to consider all the factors that could impact the durability and success of the structure in question. Following several studies, FRP rebar…
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Bridges to be replaced in Quebec: an opportunity to rebuild using a more durable solution

Bridges to be replaced in Quebec: an opportunity to rebuild using a more durable solution

On July 11th, 2020, a news article outlining the results of a thorough inspection by the Bureau of Investigation revealed that more than 400 bridges in Quebec needed to be replaced as soon as possible due to their poor condition. This situation can be explained by several factors, according to the investigators, including the end of the bridges’ useful life, natural disasters, low maintenance, and failure to respect road weight regulations over the years.  Built in the 1960’s and 1970s, several structures must be quickly rebuilt to avoid irreparable damages. At least 350 bridges need to be replaced urgently to…
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FRP rebar in marine or chemical environment projects

FRP rebar in marine or chemical environment projects

When it comes to long lasting concrete reinforced structures in marine chemical environment projects, it’s important to note that there are several challenges that can occur. Think of structures in the construction of wharfs, sea walls, wave breakers and water treatment plants. What are the challenges that can interfere with the success of such projects? First, we must consider the impact of chloride ions which can cause corrosion. Second, it’s crucial to assess the risk of water tension on the structure and determine its tensile strength. Finally, the last challenge consists of the handling of the materials while the structure…
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Why use FRP Rebar in Precast Tunnel Segments

Why use FRP Rebar in Precast Tunnel Segments

The precast tunnel segments are considered to be one of the most challenging projects in the field of structural engineering in terms of durability. It is important to consider several factors when evaluating the success of this kind of project including the aggressivity of soils, significant temperature fluctuations, as well as environmental obstacles (such as the collection of waste water that could impact the tunnel’s integrity). This is where the implementation of FRP rebar comes in as an innovative solution to these problems. Glass FRP (GFRP) reinforcing bars have recently gained wide acceptance as a viable construction material for sustainable…
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SFTec announces its new status as an associate member of the NPCA

SFTec announces its new status as an associate member of the NPCA

May 25th, 2020 SFTec is happy to announce its newest status as an associate member of the NPCA (National Precast Concrete Association), the fastest growing concrete-related association in the world. “It’s a great honor and we are happy to be a part of this movement. We believe this is a great opportunity for SFTec to further showcase its strength and educate the concrete community on alternative technologies” says Wenxue Chen, CEO of SFTec Inc. The SFTec team was looking for a more integrated community revolving around concrete and the NPCA was exactly what they were looking for. An association that…
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FRP Rebar or Steel Rebar for concrete walls and structures?

FRP Rebar or Steel Rebar for concrete walls and structures?

When exploring the different alternatives that can be used for a concrete foundation, it’s important to note the different pros and cons associated with each alternative. For the purpose of this article, the focus will be on the two main benefits FRP rebars offer compared to steel rebar when it comes to diaphragm walls and foundation pit retaining piles projects. Easier to cut FRP rebar’s cuttable nature makes it easy for complexe concrete structures to be manipulated in complexe concrete structures, like a tunnel. In fact, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), which are widely used in tunnel projects can be more…
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