Nominee
ACI Committee 440
Category
Innovative Person or Team
Description
ACI Committee 440 developed the first ever design and construction standard for concrete reinforced with glass fiber reinforcement: ACI CODE 440.11-22 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars—Code and Commentary. Team members working with other concrete industry representatives and ACI staff provided support and testimony to have the new standard approved as a reference in the International Code Council 2024 International Building Code.
A separate standard was needed to support this new technology as glass fiber reinforcement behaves differently than steel reinforcement. The new sttandards is organized the same as ACI CODE 318-19 Building code Requirements for Structural Concrete for easy of use.
This new new standard limits the use of GFRP to Seismic Design Categories A, B, and C and does not permit use in lateral seismic force resisting system s for structures assigned to SDC B or C. Another limitation ofthis current version is use for elements requiring a fire reisitnce rating is not permitted, unless evidence demonstrates acceptable performance and is approved by the official. The most significant benefit of GRFP reinforced concrete is its performance in highly corrosive environments. Further, there may be applications for the concrete to be produced sea water or other non-potable water, helping to preserve valuable water resoruces, globally.
Evidence
A separate standard was needed to support this new technology as glass fiber reinforcement behaves differently than steel reinforcement. The new sttandards is organized the same as ACI CODE 318-19 Building code Requirements for Structural Concrete for easy of use.
This new new standard limits the use of GFRP to Seismic Design Categories A, B, and C and does not permit use in lateral seismic force resisting system s for structures assigned to SDC B or C. Another limitation ofthis current version is use for elements requiring a fire reisitnce rating is not permitted, unless evidence demonstrates acceptable performance and is approved by the official. The most significant benefit of GRFP reinforced concrete is its performance in highly corrosive environments. Further, there may be applications for the concrete to be produced sea water or other non-potable water, helping to preserve valuable water resoruces, globally.
Sika's Erbina Vokshi is a member of ACI Committee 440; Sika's Thierry Berset is an associate member of ACI Committee 440; and David White, associate member and serving on 2 ACI 440 subcommittees.
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