Erfolgreicher Einsatz von pultrudierten GFK-Profilen in Architektur und Ingenieurbau auf Grundlage der ersten Allgemeinen Bauaufsichtlichen Zulassung

Successful implementation of pultruded (GFRP) profiles in architecture and civil engineering based on the first official general technical approval

Pultruded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) profiles developed by the firm Fiberline Composites A/S were granted a general technical approval (no. Z-10.9-299) by the German Institute for Building Technology in Berlin in December 2011. This approval is based on extensive theoretical analysis as well as a series of rigorous experiments. Architects and engineers are now able to implement a wide variety of GFRP profiles within the construction and civil engineering fields without the need for elaborate experimental investigations or experts' appraisals, or requiring explicit individual approvals or external monitoring of projects. The technical approval is subject not only to extensive information of material characteristics and properties, but also to a comprehensive design concept based on relevant codes and standards. Several diverse projects have been successfully completed in recent years due to the issuing of the general technical approval. This article focuses on the underlying design concept developed based on this technical approval, extended design checks as well as showcases of some selected national projects realized in Germany.