The New ACI Code 440.11-22

Abstract

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) recently published ACI Code 440.11-22 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars. This new Standard, which is dependent on ACI 318-19 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, mandates minimum requirements for materials, design, and detailing of structural concrete buildings reinforced with GFRP bars that conform to ASTM D7957 and can be adopted by building codes or referenced by design professionals and building officials. ACI Code 440.11 covers non-prestressed concrete construction for structures that do not require a fire-resistance rating, and includes requirements for strength, serviceability, durability, structural analysis methods, development and splicing of reinforcement, and methods to evaluate the strength of existing structures. The Commentary to the Code provides explanation of differences in design between GFRP-reinforced concrete and steel-reinforced concrete. This paper provides an overview of ACI Code 440.11, discussing its applications and limitations and how other standards from ACI and ASTM provide the foundation on which the new Code has been developed. Differences from the requirements given in ACI 318 that account for both the lower stiffness of GFRP reinforcement and for the lack of a yield point in GFRP bars are highlighted, with a focus on how flexural strength and serviceability requirements are affected.