The Code details industry-accepted procedures and practices for the fabrication and installation of pultruded FRP structures and provides recommendations for construction contract documents.
The Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Relevant Committee formed by ACMA’s Composites Growth Initiative (CGI) has announced its intent to convert PIC’s industry guidelines into an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. To this end, it has submitted to ANSI a Project Initiation Notification System (PINS) request for Standards Action Public Review.
“Composite materials have long been recognised for the advantages they offer in terms of strength to weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, low maintenance requirements and long life cycle,” says John Busel, director of CGI. “The establishment of an ANSI standard for performance criteria will allow structural engineers to incorporate FRP composite materials into their work with more confidence than ever. It will mean stronger, safer and better buildings.”
PIC worked with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to develop an LRFD Prestandard. This prestandard currently is being promulgated by the ASCE Fiber Composites and Polymer Standards Committee.
“The prestandard is divided into two components,” explains Busel. “There is the standard requirements, which consists of the rules structural engineers must comply with when designing anything. Then there’s the commentary, which is an expanded explanation of the requirements. It’s basically background information and is not binding on users."
"Right now, PIC’s Code of Standard Practice for Fabrication and Installation of Pultruded FRP Structures is referenced in the prestandard commentary. If it is converted to a recognised consensus standard – which would be accomplished by it becoming an ANSI standard – it can be referenced in the requirements section during the ASCE balloting process. This would give the PIC Code more practical muscle and further the expansion of composites use.”
