Prestressed glass fiber reinforced concrete sheet pile a useful product for coastal erosion control

Abstract

The use of prestressed Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete sheet piles is a new, advanced technological solution that replaces traditional reinforced concrete sheet piles, making it particularly suitable for harsh environments. GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) is a composite material made from glass fibers reinforced in a polymer matrix, completely replacing the steel reinforcement inside the sheet pile panel. This difference offers outstanding advantages: absolute corrosion resistance, light weight, extended service life, non-conductivity, and non-magnetism. Thanks to these characteristics, GFRP sheet piles are widely applied as retaining walls, revetments, marine ports, drainage systems, bridge abutments, and tunnels, especially in areas with saline soil, close to the sea, or high corrosivity. Prestressed GFRP reinforcement consists of high-tensile strength bars that are tensioned before concrete pouring, which creates a compressive force in the structural member, helping to reduce tensile stresses caused by external loads, allowing the sheet pile to withstand greater loads without or with minimal cracking. Prestressed sheet piles also exhibit higher stiffness and less deformation compared to non-prestressed types. This research presents experiments on the performance of prestressed GFRP reinforced concrete sheet piles, using products from Nucetech company and conducted at the LAS125 laboratory of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering".