The institute will further serve as a hub for education, training and research. “Our immediate focus is to bridge the knowledge gap regarding these composite materials in the construction sector,” says Fiford.
“We have always believed in the transformative potential of GFRP materials, particularly in the construction industry. Partnering with the FRP Institute USA allows us to pool our resources, knowledge and networks to create a comprehensive educational platform,” he states. “Our goal is to ensure that professionals across the industry adhere to the highest quality standards when working with and designing structures using GFRP materials.”
The FRP Institute USA, Fiford adds, aims to transfer its expertise to the local construction sector through its partnership with the GFRP Institute South Africa, particularly in regions where the potential for growth in GFRP applications is immense.
Fundamentals of GFRP materials
As GFRP materials behave differently to steel, primarily due to its lack of ductility and lower modulus of elasticity, engineers need to account for serviceability factors like deflection, crack width and sustained stress limits when designing GFRP-reinforced structures.
“It’s not as simple as swapping out steel for GFRP; designs must be tailored to GFRP’s unique properties to ensure safety and efficacy. It is this understanding that we will promote through the GFRP Institute South Africa and its courses,” Fiford notes.
Through a panel of seasoned experts, the institute will, among others, focus on covering the properties, benefits and applications of GFRP materials in construction, the unique design considerations when using GFRP compared to traditional materials, including structural analysis and safety factors, as well as practical training on the installation processes for GFRP products, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
The GFRP Institute South Africa will further promote the inspection, auditing and accreditation of facilities, the standardisation of specifications and the testing of GFRP materials.
Industry benefits
“With its high strength-to-weight ratios, GFRP composites have revolutionised various industries, from naval construction, where its resistance to corrosion and durability are invaluable, to the aerospace industry, where these materials have redefined possibilities due to its excellent fatigue resistance and ability to be moulded into complex shapes,” says Krolewski.
Offering the flexibility to create diverse structural forms, Krolewski cites a recent project where all steel reinforcements were replaced with GFRP composite materials during the construction of the 28-span Harker Island Bridge in North Carolina, USA.
Meanwhile, Fiford, who also stands at the helm of consulting engineering firm AF Consulting & Associates, notes that while GFRP materials are quite new to the country, these composites, now locally manufactured by GFRP Tech, have gained prominence in a number of construction projects.
Wide adoption
Looking ahead, the GFRP Institute South Africa will now work to establish the use of GFRP materials in the market, and to ensure that it is adopted widely and effectively. “By establishing this institute, we will provide industry professionals with the knowledge and tools to implement GFRP solutions effectively, driving innovation and sustainability,” Fiford notes.
Krolewski adds that equipping the industry with technical knowledge will create the confidence to innovate. “GFRP composites are the future,” he asserts. “We’re here to make that future accessible.”
about GFRP Institute
The GFRP Institute South Africa was formed in 2024 as a professional body dedicated to promoting best practices, quality standards and compliance within the industry. Its primary purpose is to establish and maintain industry-leading standards for glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites, ensuring the manufacturing of and use of these materials adhere to international standards through rigorous certification and inspection programmes.
The institute focuses on the auditing and accreditation of facilities that are active in the composites manufacturing process and value chain, through plant certification and independent quality assurance testing.