STAFF WRITER
– The Ottawa Construction News Special Feature
Representing Pultrall Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) and CFRP (Carbon- fiber-reinforced polymer), V-ROD Canada works with owners, government agencies, engineers and contractors to provide innovative solutions to concrete reinforcing. V-ROD recently participated in AGF-Raymond Rebar Inc.’s customer appreciation event to provide attendees with valuable information and alternatives.
Fiber reinforced composite rebar combines high strength fiber and a resistant vinyl ester resin, which resists corrosion in a variety of natural and chemical environments.
V-ROD president Gene Latour says the product is increasingly fulfilling building and bridge specifications. “Our product has been used in a number of products within the Ottawa area including parking garages, the OLRT (Ottawa Light Rail Transit), several of the rapid bridge replacement projects and rehabilitation projects on the parliament buildings and Rideau Canal.”
He says because the products contain no ions, and therefore no elements that can corrode, it has many uses and its cost savings are far reaching. For parking garages and water treatment projects, for instance, he says the use of GFRP can eliminate the need for expensive waterproofing membranes or other anti-corrosion measures that might otherwise be required.
“GFRP is also non-conductive. That means for LRT and transit projects, MRI or clean labs, the systems that are normally required to address stray current or conductivity issues can be eliminated.”
With V-ROD included in the CSA S806- 12 building code and CHBDC CSA S6-14, he says the use of GFRP is changing the way engineers design. Rising to the challenge and opportunities with the product, engineers, he says, are getting creative and finding new applications for its use.
V-Rod is also working with NRC (National Research Council Canada) developing its own new applications. “NRC is testing the use of GFRP with full scale parking garage slabs in which they minimize the concrete cover required. They’re seeing success already which will lead to revisions in the code which will lend even more economy to projects like this.”
Latour says his company has worked with AGF-Raymond for many years and supports events like the recent customer appreciation night, and others like this, as an opportunity to connect with contractors, designers and owners to help them better understand the added value of GFRP.
As a leader in composite reinforcement, V-Rod works with rebar manufactures across Canada. The company is a member of several rebar associations, through which Latour says the company offers education, information, prompt delivery and excellence in customer service.
For more information on V-Rod Canada, visit http://www.vrodcanada.com.
