Design Recommendations for Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement

Fusion bonded epoxy coated reinforcement (FBECR) has been developed to help combat problems of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. The surface texture of the coating is smoother than the normal mill scale surface of reinforcing bars and alters bond characteristics of the bar. Although FBECR has no been in use for more than 30 years and production standards have been established, rules for design using the material are not well developed. CEB Task Group 2/5 is currently reviewing data on bond and structural performance of elements reinforced with FBECR with the aim of deriving recommendations for design practice which will enable structures reinforced with FBECR to achieve equivalent performance to that f structures reinforced with millscale surface ribbed bars. This paper presents proposals for amendments to the CEB-FIP model Code 1990 for design of anchorages and splices of coated bars, and briefly reviews other aspects of structural performance influenced by the different bond characteristics of FBECR.