Applications, Benefits, Standards and Contents of Fiber Reinforced Polymers Composites Grating Manual

2. Standard Design Manual for
FRP Composites Gratings
Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council
Gregory R. Bond, P.E. − FGMC Chair
Structural Engineer, Strongwell
Dallas Convention Center | Dallas, Texas, USA

3. Presentation Outline
• Applications and Benefits of FRP Grating
– Typical FRP grating applications
– Benefits and advantages of FRP
– Molded FRP grating manufacture
– Pultruded FRP grating manufacture
• Need for FRP Grating Standard
– Current competition in marketplace
– Why is an FRP grating standard
needed?
– Grating Manual development
• Contents of Grating Manual
– Load Table development & design
example
– Standard Specification
– Code of Standard Practice
• Summary

4. ACMA FGMC Members
Manufacturers
ChinaGrate Composite Structures Ltd
Creative Pultrusions, Inc.
Delta Composites, LLC
Fibergrate Composite Structures, Inc.
Seasafe, Inc.
Strongwell
www.fiberglassgrating.org
Material Suppliers
Interplastic Corporation
Owens Corning
Academic
University of Miami
University of Mass-Lowell

5. About FGMC
The mission of this Council is to:
• Develop and maintain an ANSI / ACMA approved
Fiberglass Grating Manual
• Promote and accelerate the usage of fiberglass grating
specifications among architects, engineers, designers,
specifiers and others
• Act as the leading source of information on composite
gratings in the U.S. and throughout the world by
utilizing technical documents and other means to
educate and assist these designers and other potential
users of composite grating.

6. Applications and Benefits of
FRP Grating

7. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
For those not familiar with FRP grating, it is a composite material manufactured by combining a matrix of
resin and fiberglass. It is used in many different industries, from walkways in industrial plants to flooring
on ships to decorative grids on commercial and residential buildings. FRP grating is durable and
corrosion resistant, making it preferable to steel, which can rust and corrode in extreme environments.

8. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photos Courtesy of Strongwell

9. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photo Courtesy of Fibergrate

10. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photo Courtesy of Fibergrate

11. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

12. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photo Courtesy of Fibergrate

13. FRP Grating Applications
• Construction
• Industrial
• Corrosion
• Architectural
• Other
Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

14. Benefits and Advantages of FRP Grating
– Excellent Corrosion Resistance
– High Strength to Weight
– Lightweight
– Impact Resistant
– Slip Resistant
– Low Maintenance
– Molded in Colors
– Low Electrical and
Thermal Conductivity
– Electro-Magnetic Transparency
Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

15. Molded Grating Process
Open Molding
Liquid resin and continuous fiberglass roving
are manually laid in the mold to produce the
desired thickness and panel dimensions.
The finished molds are heated to initiate the
resin cure. The panel is then ejected from the
mold. The molds are cleaned and prepared
for the process to begin again.
Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

16. Pultrusion Process
The pultrusion process consists of pulling fiberglass reinforcement
through a liquid resin bath and through a heated metal die where the
thermoset resin converts to a solid. This continuous shape is pulled
through the machine and cut to the desired length.

17. Pultruded FRP Grating
Pultruded Grating is a manual assembly of
individual pultruded parts consisting of bearing
bars and cross rods. Varying the bar profile and
spacing allows for customized panels.

18. Need for FRP Grating
Standard

19. Current Competition in the Marketplace
• Steel and SS
• Aluminum
• Timber
• Composite Decking
• Cast Iron

20. Why is an FRP Grating
Standard Needed?
• Standards exist for metal grating materials
(Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum)
• Engineers were familiar with these standards
and used it to specify metal grating
• The grating manufacturers individually had their
own design manuals
– No unified approach and information conflicted
– Needed uniformity to reduce confusion and provide
collective recommendations
– Safe and efficient design of FRP grating

21. Why is an FRP Grating
Standard Needed?
• Establish credibility of FRP grating as a viable
building product
• Provide an understanding of each grating
manufacturing process
• Demonstrate FRP grating performance
• Reduce design liability of designers
• Increase awareness, consumer confidence,
market acceptance and continue growth

22. Grating Manual Development
• ACMA provided the forum, direction and
process to develop the Standard
• FGMC had first meeting in 1996
• MBG standard was used as a model
• Consensus oriented decision making
• Grating Manual published in 2014

23. Contents of ANSI/ACMA/FGMC FRP
Composites Grating Manual − 2014
For Pultruded and Molded Grating and Stair Treads

24. ANSI Standard Development
FRP Composites Grating Manual has 3 main sections:
• Load Tables: A reference for engineers to compare the
performance of FRP grating series under specified load
conditions.
• Standard Specification: Suggested guidance for
engineers and owners when procurement purchases the
grating, keeping all manufacturers on a level playing field.
• Code of Standard Practice: Representation of generally
accepted standard practices in the fiberglass grating
industry.

25. Grating Load Table Development
– FGMC Members furnished molded and/or
pultruded panels to University of Mississippi
for testing
– Blind results were developed into load tables
• Values based upon nominal dimensions
and minimum properties of bearing bars
• Uniform Load or Concentrated Line Load
• “Apparent” Stiffness, EI (lb-in2)
∆ = ∆flexure + ∆shear
• Maximum Recommended Loads

26. Example of FRP Grating Selection Process
Project Information
• Viewing Platform in
Public Aquarium
• 4’ wide x 20’ long
Molded or
Pultruded
• ADA compliant
open space < ½”
Design Criteria
• 100 psf or 250 lb
• Deflection ≤ ¼”
• Span = 48"
Review Load
Tables
• ∆u = 0.25”
• ∆c = 0.25”
Verify 1” I-40
selection with
Manufacturer
Review cost and
lead time
Add notes to plans
and reference
Grating Manual
Now, on to the
Specifications

29. Example of FRP Grating Selection Process
Project Information
• Viewing Platform in
Public Aquarium
• 4’ wide x 20’ long
Molded or
Pultruded
• ADA compliant
open space < ½”
Design Criteria
• 100 psf or 250 lb
• Deflection ≤ ¼”
• Span = 48"
Review Load
Tables
• ∆u = 0.25”
• ∆c = 0.25”
Verify 1” I-40
selection with
Manufacturer
Review cost and
lead time
Add notes to plans
and reference
Grating Manual
Now, on to the
Specifications

34. Example of FRP Grating Selection Process
Project Information
• Viewing Platform in
Public Aquarium
• 4’ wide x 20’ long
Molded or
Pultruded
• ADA compliant
open space < ½”
Design Criteria
• 100 psf or 250 lb
• Deflection ≤ ¼”
• Span = 48"
Review Load
Tables
• ∆u = 0.25”
• ∆c = 0.25”
Verify 1” I-40
selection with
Manufacturer
Review cost and
lead time
Add notes to plans
and reference
Grating Manual
Now, on to the
Specifications

35. Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

36. Example of FRP Grating Selection Process
Project Information
• Viewing Platform in
Public Aquarium
• 4’ wide x 20’ long
Molded or
Pultruded
• ADA compliant
open space < ½”
Design Criteria
• 100 psf or 250 lb
• Deflection ≤ ¼”
• Span = 48"
Review Load
Tables
• ∆u = 0.25”
• ∆c = 0.25”
Verify 1” I-40
selection with
Manufacturer
Review cost and
lead time
Add notes to plans
and reference
Grating Manual
Now, on to the
Specifications

37. Standard Specification
Construction Specifications
Institute (CSI) Format
Division 06 Wood, Plastics and
Composites
06 70 00 Structural Composites
06 74 13 Fiberglass Reinforced Gratings
Save time researching and writing a
specification from scratch
Metal grating specifications have
information which may not be applicable
to FRP grating
Clearly relay grating selection to
Contractors and Suppliers

38. Code of Standard Practice
Representation of generally accepted standard
practices in the fiberglass grating industry.
• Definitions
• Quotations and extras
• Drawing Submittals
• Quantity Measurements
• Field Work
Photo Courtesy of Strongwell

39. Durability and Longevity
• Bridge Grating Panel installed in 1994
• Determine the strength and stiffness of grating after
20 years of continuous weather exposure and use.

40. Durability and Longevity
• Panel was subjected to a
three point bending test
according to the method
described in the Grating
Manual.
• The panel was taken to
failure to determine
flexural modulus and
ultimate strength.
• After 20 years of service, the panel still meets
the published performance requirements and
has retained its flexural modulus and strength
properties.

41. Summary
• FRP grating has features that allow it to excel
where other materials do not.
• FRP manufacturers, material suppliers and
academia worked together to create a standard
to compete against metal grating.
• ACMA provided the direction, process and forum
to develop the standard.
• The Grating Manual provides uniform information
for safe and efficient design of FRP gratings.

42. Summary
• The creation of this standard is only the first step.
Architects and Engineers need to be educated on
the use of this standard.
• FGMC is now directing its attention toward
education and industry marketing.
• Success is expected with increased use and
acceptance of FRP grating within in a wide
variety of applications.
• Document is available through the ACMA
Education Hub
www.acmaeducationhub.org/standards

43. FGMC Meeting Tomorrow
Thursday, October 29
3 – 5 pm
Room D164
www.fiberglassgrating.org

44. THANK YOU!
Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council
Gregory R. Bond, P.E. − FGMC Chair
Structural Engineer, Strongwell
gbond@strongwell.com
Dallas Convention Center | Dallas, Texas, USA