Using Carbon Fiber to Reinforce Precast Concrete

Everything that makes carbon fiber ideal for athletic gear, aircraft and aerospace engineering, race car bodies, and bicycle frames are all the reasons carbon fiber is the perfect reinforcement for concrete construction, particularly precast concrete, large premolded slabs formed in a facility and transported for assembly at a construction site. The quality of precast is more easily maintained than cast-in-place (concrete poured and formed onsite), and the curing process can be done in a controlled environment. The main drawback to precast concrete is its weight, and as such, the cost to transport it. Using carbon fiber as a reinforcement solves the weight issue on several levels, and also provides the benefit of increased strength for the precast to bear a load.

Benefits of Carbon Fiber in Concrete Construction

Carbon fiber, being 10 times as strong as steel yet five times lighter, automatically reduces the weight of a precast concrete panel. Carbon fiber can replace steel rebar as the internal support, and being noncorrosive allows for a significant reduction in the concrete needed to sufficiently cover and protect rebar from external elements. No rebar and less concrete equates to lower weight.

Over time, the benefits of using carbon fiber in precast concrete become more pronounced. Carbon fiber will not oxidize, therefore eliminates the rust, stains, and the spalling usually associated with steel reinforced concrete. Carbon fiber is also more energy efficient because its low thermal conductivity reduces the transfer of varying temperatures from inside to outside, or the other way around. A case in point is the Symphony House, a 32-story luxury condominium tower in Philadelphia. The structure incorporated nearly 900 precast concrete wall panels reinforced by carbon fiber, which provided a weight reduction estimated at 66% and resulted in a need for fewer internal columns, which allowed for more interior open space.

Carbon Fiber Support offers carbon fiber fabric and installation accessories for your concrete reinforcement projects. Whether you’re a contractor or a homeowner with some know-how, our superior carbon fiber products have been tested again and again in real-world applications. Contact our support team if you’d like to learn more about carbon fiber for your concrete repair or construction projects.