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Fire protection for carbon fiber reinforcements

Fire protection for carbon fiber reinforcements 

 GEOSTAFF® offers, through Laboratory Appréciation n° EFR-18-001644, validated solutions in GEOTEC® fire-resistant boards to protect the reinforcement of reinforced concrete beams and slabs according to the desired fire performance and critical temperatures given by the manufacturer. The world of construction has seen many innovations over the years. 

Reinforced concrete structures, although the backbone of many of these buildings, are not immune to challenges. Changes of use, renovations and even simple refurbishments can require structural reinforcement. 

Current standards :

EN 1366-5 / EN 13501-2 FIRE PROTECTION FOR CARBON FIBER REINFORCEMENTS / EI i <–>o 

The flat carbon concept

 What is a carbon plate? 

Before diving into protection solutions, it’s essential to understand what a carbon plate is. Let’s imagine an extremely strong strip, measuring between 5 and 15 cm wide and just 1.2 mm thick. This strip is made up of a multitude of carbon fibers, renowned for their great strength and lightness. This property makes it an ideal choice for reinforcing concrete structures. 

The reinforcement process 

Reinforcement does not stop with the application of carbon plates. The process requires careful preparation of the concrete substrate. Once the substrate is deemed sound, the carbon plates are bonded using an epoxy resin-based adhesive. This is a tried-and-tested method, notably for compensating for the lack of tensioned steel in certain structures: flexural reinforcement of slabs and beams; confinement of concrete columns; punching reinforcement… 

Crucial protection for bonded carbon reinforcements 

Although carbon fibre plates reinforce concrete structures, they have a weak point in the event of fire. The epoxy resin used to bond them is vulnerable to high temperatures. Exposure to heat can cause the resin to degrade, rendering the carbon plates ineffective. 

To ensure good fireproof insulation and the fire stability of carbon plates and, by extension, concrete structures, it is essential to guarantee the temperature of the adhesive used. This maximum temperature, varying between 45 and 80° C, is specified in the manufacturers’ technical notices, to which reference should be made. 

Faced with this vulnerability, we have developed a unique and reliable solution: GEOTEC® fire-resistant boards. Their fire resistance has been tested and validated by the Efectis laboratory, guaranteeing the safety of concrete structures in the event of fire. These boards are also widely used for smoke extraction and ventilation ducts, offering effective, long-lasting protection. 

Our flat carbon protection solution 

Following the fire resistance tests carried out in the Efectis laboratory, GEOSTAFF® proposes the use of GEOTEC® fire protection boards for: 

  • Carbon plate protection under a beam 
  • Carbon plate protection under a concrete slab 
  • Carbon plate protection in wall angle 

Performances système

Protection under concrete floor slab
Desired interface temperature (C°) 30 min 60 min 90 min 120 min 180 min
45 2x30 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 350 mm) 3x45 mm (Overlap 250 mm) -
60 2x30 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x30 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 350 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 250 mm) -
80 2x30 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x30 mm (Overlap 100 mm) 2x30 mm (Overlap 350 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 250 mm) 2x45 mm (Overlap 250 mm)
Protection under the beam : Reinforcement installed on the bottom of the beam
Desired interface temperature (C°) 30 min 60 min 90 min 120 min
45 2x45 mm 2x45 mm 3x45 mm -
60 2x45 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm + 30 mm 3x45 mm
80 2x30 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm
Protection under the beam : Reinforcement installed on the side of the beam
Desired interface temperature (C°) 30 min 60 min 90 min 120 min
45 2x45 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm + 30 mm -
60 2x30 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm 3x45 mm + 30 mm
80 2x30 mm 2x30 mm 2x45 mm 2x45 mm

*Note: The indicated values are calculated according to the protection thickness of GEOTEC®S as well as the required fire performance.

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