01 January 2009

Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GRFP) reinforcement bars are being used to build Qatalum, a multi-billion-dollar aluminium plant that’s on the rise in Messaied Industrial City, Qatar.

The smelter is being built by Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Norway’s Norsk Hydro in an equal share joint venture, and is scheduled to come on stream by 2010. The local Aljaber Engineering is the project’s  contractor, while the design has been executed by ILF Consulting of Switzerland
Supplied by Schِck of Germany, the trademark ComBAR rebars is a high-quality concrete reinforcement which is made of glass fibres and a synthetic resin.
“Schِck’s ComBAR bars are stronger than steel, are resistant to corrosion and most chemicals, they are non-magnetic and electrically non-conductive,” explains a company spokesman. “At Qatalum, the reinforcement was installed as electrically non-conductive concrete reinforcement in the so called ‘rectifier areas’ of the floor slab.
He continues: “The specifications regarding the durability of the reinforcement were strict, as the construction site is located in a very corrosive environment. However, as  ComBAR is designed to last 100 years, even in the Middle East, and as it met all the other requirements on the project, it was specified by the consultant.”
Another important aspect of Schِck’s ComBAR is the fact that a complete rebar system containing double-headed bolts, bent rebars and spacers is provided, including the complete engineering services of Schِck, supporting consultants and owners.
Large machines for the aluminium production, operating at high voltages will be installed on these slabs.
Schِck’s ComBAR GFRP reinforcement was installed in 10 transformer foundations and in more than 1,000 sq m of concrete slabs in the perfluorocarbon (PFC) bays.
Schِck is a leading supplier of innovative building products to the construction industry in Europe.
It is recognised for its expertise in providing solutions for a wide range of structural applications. These include its ComBAR, which has already been proven in a number of major projects and verified by independent testing institutes in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

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