Aramid and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic prestressed ground anchors and their field applications

With high corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, electromagnetic neutrality, and lightweight, the newly emerged aramid and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) tendons are being used for prestressed ground anchors. FRP ground anchors can be used when the corrosion protection of steel tendons becomes expensive or difficult to achieve, or where electromagnetic insulation is required. Although FRP tendons are more expensive than steel tendons, the total cost on transportation, handling, fabrication, drilling, installation, and maintenance can be significantly reduced due to lightweight and no requirement for corrosion protection. In addition, optical fibre sensors can be integrated into FRP tendons for permanent monitoring of ground anchors. This paper gives an introduction of the currently available aramid and carbon FRP tendons and an overview of the important properties of FRP tendons and their constituent materials. The design, fabrication, installation, and field applications of aramid and carbon FRP ground anchors are described.