GFRP reinforced concrete curb: design, economic and regulatory considerations

This paper discusses the use of GFRP reinforcement application for concrete curb design and bridge barrier replacement projects. Unlike conventional steel bars, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer rebars have the considerable advantage of not being susceptible to corrosion, preserving the durability of the structures and reducing the maintenance costs during the service life of the bridge. An additional advantage is the low specific weight of the GFRP, which makes it possible to speed up the installation of the reinforcements on site, ensuring greater safety for operators. The paper compares, in terms of structural performance and overall costs, two curbs of the same geometry, one reinforced with classic steel bars, the other with GFRP bars, providing evidence that current code provisions can be practically implemented in typical design situations.