ACI 440.

5M-08

Specification for Construction

with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
Reinforcing Bars
An ACI Standard

Reported by ACI Committee 440

First Printing
July 2008
American Concrete Institute

Advancing concrete knowledge

Specification for Construction with

Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars
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ISBN 978-0-87031-288-5

ACI 440.5M-08

Specification for Construction with Fiber-Reinforced

Polymer Reinforcing Bars
An ACI Standard

Reported by ACI Committee 440

John P. Busel
Chair

Carol K. Shield*
Secretary

Tarek Alkhrdaji
Charles E. Bakis

Russell Gentry
Janos Gergely

James G. Korff
Michael W. Lee

Andrea Prota
Hayder A. Rasheed

Lawrence C. Bank*
Abdeldjelil Belarbi
Brahim Benmokrane
Luke A. Bisby

William J. Gold
Nabil F. Grace
Mark F. Green
Zareh B. Gregorian

Maria Lopez de Murphy

Ibrahim M. Mahfouz
Orange S. Marshall
Amir Mirmiran

Sami H. Rizkalla
Morris Schupack
Rajan Sen
Khaled A. Soudki

Gregg J. Blaszak

Doug D. Gremel*

Ayman S. Mosallam

Samuel A. Steere III*

Timothy E. Bradberry*

Shawn P. Gross

John J. Myers

Gamil S. Tadros

Nanni

Antonio
Kenneth Neale
John P. Newhook

Jay A. Thomas
Houssam A. Toutanji
J. Gustavo Tumialan

Gordon L. Brown Jr.

Vicki L. Brown
Raafat El-Hacha

H. R. (Trey) Hamilton III

Issam E. Harik
Kent A. Harries

Garth J. Fallis*

Mark P. Henderson*

Ayman M. Okeil

Milan Vatovec

Amir Z. Fam
Edward R. Fyfe

Bohdan N. Horeczko
Vistasp M. Karbhari

Carlos E. Ospina*
Max L. Porter

Stephanie L. Walkup
David White

*Contributing

authors.
Task group Chair.
The committee also thanks Nick Carino, Bernard Drouin, and Renato Parretti for their contributions.

This Reference Specification covers construction using fiber-reinforced

polymer reinforcing bars that the Architect/Engineer can make applicable
to any construction project by citing it in the Project Specifications. The
Architect/Engineer supplements the provisions of this Reference Specification
as needed by designating or specifying individual project requirements.
Keywords: concrete; concrete construction; fiber-reinforced polymer
reinforcement; placing; specification; tolerance.

NOTE TO SPECIFIER
This Specification is incorporated by reference in the
Project Specification using the wording in P3 of the Preface
and including information from the Mandatory Requirements,
Optional Requirements, and Submittals Checklists following
the Specifications.
PREFACE
P1. ACI Specification 440.5M-08 is intended to be used
by reference or incorporation in its entirety in the Project
Specification. Do not copy individual Parts, Sections, Articles,
or Paragraphs into the Project Specification, because taking
them out of context may change their meaning.

P2. If Sections or Parts of ACI Specification 440.5M-08

are copied into the Project Specification or any other document,
do not refer to them as an ACI Specification, because the
specification has been altered.
P3. A statement such as the following will serve to make
ACI Specification 440.5M-08 a part of the Project Specification: Work on (Project Title) shall conform to all requirements
of ACI 440.5M-08, Specification for Construction with
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars, published by
the American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan,
except as modified by these Contract Documents.
P4. Each technical Section of ACI Specification 440.5M-08
is written in the three-part Section format of the Construction
Specifications Institute, as adapted for ACI requirements.
The language is imperative and terse.
ACI 440.5M-08 was adopted April 30, 2008, and published June 2008.
Copyright 2008, American Concrete Institute.
All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any
means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by electronic or
mechanical device, printed, written, or oral, or recording for sound or visual reproduction
or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless permission in writing
is obtained from the copyright proprietors.

440.5M-1

440.5M-2

ACI STANDARD

P5. The Specification is written to the Contractor. When a

provision of this Specification requires action by the
Contractor, the verb shall is used. If the Contractor is
allowed to exercise an option when limited alternatives are
available, the phrasing either...or... is used. Statements
provided in the Specification as information to the Contractor
use the verbs may or will. Informational statements
typically identify activities or options that will be taken or
may be taken by the Owner or Architect/Engineer.
CONTENTS
Preface, p. 440.5-1
Part 1General, p. 440.5-2
1.1Scope
1.2Definitions
1.3Reference standards
1.4Submittals
1.5Materials delivery, storage, and handling
Part 2Products, p. 440.5-2
2.1Materials
2.2Fabrication
Part 3Execution, p. 440.5-3
3.1Preparation
3.2Bar placement
3.3Repair of fiber-reinforced polymer bars
3.4Field cutting of fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement
3.5Concrete placement
Foreword to checklists, p. 440.5-5
Mandatory requirements checklist, p. 440.5-5
Optional requirements checklist, p. 440.5-5

1.3Reference standards
1.3.1 Reference standardsStandards of ACI referred to
in this Specification are listed with serial designation
including year of adoption or revision, and are part of this
Specification.
1.3.1.1 ACI standards
117-06
Specifications for Tolerances for Concrete
Construction and Materials
301M-05 Specifications for Structural Concrete
440.6M-08 Specification for Carbon and Glass FiberReinforced Polymer (FRP) Bar Materials for
Concrete Reinforcement
1.4Submittals
Unless otherwise required by Contract Documents, submit
data and drawings specified in 1.4.1 through 1.4.3 for review
and acceptance before fabrication and execution:
1.4.1 Submit the data specified in 1.4.1.1 through 1.4.1.4
unless otherwise specified:
1.4.1.1 FRP reinforcementSubmit FRP bar manufacturers certified test report.
1.4.1.2 Placing drawingsSubmit placing drawings
showing fabrication dimensions and placement locations of
FRP reinforcement and reinforcement supports.
1.4.1.3 SplicesSubmit a list of splices and request to
use splices not indicated in Contract Documents.
1.4.1.4 SupportsSubmit description of reinforcement
supports and materials for fastening reinforcement not
described in 2.1.3.
1.4.2 FRP reinforcement relocationWhen alternatives
are proposed, submit a request to relocate any FRP reinforcement that exceeds specified placement tolerances. Include
new arrangement of reinforcement and justification for
new arrangement.
1.4.3 Inspection and quality controlSubmit quality
assurance/quality control program of plant manufacturing
FRP reinforcement unless otherwise specified.

Submittals checklist, p. 440.5-5

PART 1GENERAL
1.1Scope
1.1.1 Work specifiedThis Specification covers cast-inplace structural concrete reinforced with fiber-reinforced
polymer (FRP) bars except where other provisions are
specified in the Contract Documents.
1.1.2 Work not specifiedThe subjects covered by ACI
301M are not in the scope of this Specification.
1.2Definitions
acceptable or accepteddetermined to be satisfactory by
the Architect/Engineer.
acceptanceacknowledgment by Architect/Engineer
that submittal or completed work is acceptable.
Architect/Engineerthe architect, engineer, architectural
firm, or engineering firm issuing Contract Documents or
administering the Work under Contract Documents, or both.
dielectrica substance, such as porcelain, glass, and
most plastics, that is a poor conductor of electricity but an
efficient supporter of electrostatic fields.

1.5Materials delivery, storage, and handling

1.5.1 Prevent bending, coating with earth, oil, or other
material, or otherwise damaging the FRP reinforcement.
1.5.2 When handling FRP reinforcement, use equipment
that avoids damaging or abrading the FRP bar. Lift bundles
of FRP reinforcement at multiple pickup points. Do not drop
or drag FRP reinforcement.
1.5.3 FRP reinforcing bars shall be stored above the
surface of the ground on platforms, skids, or other supports
as close as possible to the point of placement. If stored
outdoors for more than 4 months, the FRP reinforcing bars
shall be covered with opaque plastic or other types of cover
that protect the bars from ultraviolet rays.
1.5.4 Prevent exposure of FRP reinforcing bars to
temperatures above 50 C during storage.
PART 2PRODUCTS
2.1Materials
2.1.1 FRP reinforcing barsFRP reinforcement shall be
deformed, sand coated, or both to provide bond with
concrete unless otherwise stated in the Contract Documents.

SPECIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION WITH FRP REINOFRICNG BARS

FRP reinforcement shall be the types and sizes required by

Contract Documents and shall conform to ACI 440.6M-08.
2.1.1.1 Permitted damageThe maximum total unrepaired visible damage permitted on each linear meter of each
FRP bar shall not exceed 2% of the surface area in that linear
meter of bar. The depth of the permissible damage shall not
exceed 1 mm.
2.1.2 Grids and gratingsPremanufactured grids and
gratings are not covered by this Specification. Mat reinforcement made of preassembled FRP bars is covered by this
Specification.
2.1.3 FRP reinforcement supportsUse reinforcement
supports made of dielectric material or, if ferrous, coated
with dielectric material, including epoxy or another polymer.
2.1.4 Precast concrete reinforcement supportsUse
concrete supports that have a surface area of not less than
2500 mm 2 and a compressive strength and durability
properties equal to or greater than the specified compressive
strength of the concrete being placed.

440.5M-3

Table 3.1Concrete cover requirements for FRP

reinforcement
Specified cover, mm
Slabs and joists
Top and bottom bars
No. 32 bars and smaller

20

Formed concrete surfaces exposed to earth and for bottoms bearing on

work mat, or slabs supporting earth cover
No. 16 bars and smaller

40

No. 19 through 32 bars

50
Beams, formed

Stirrups, spirals, and ties

40

Primary reinforcement

50

Exposed to earth
Stirrups and ties

50

Primary reinforcement

65
Walls

No. 32 bars and smaller

20

Formed concrete surfaces exposed to

earth or in contact with ground

50

Footings and base slabs

2.2Fabrication
2.2.1 FRP reinforcementNo field fabrication is
permitted except tying of FRP reinforcing bars, field cutting
in accordance with the design or placement drawings, or
both. Field cutting shall be performed as described in 3.4.
PART 3EXECUTION
3.1Preparation
3.1.1 When concrete is placed, FRP reinforcement shall be
free of materials deleterious to mechanical bond.
3.2Bar placement
3.2.1 TolerancesPlace, support, and fasten FRP reinforcement as shown on the Project Drawings. Do not exceed
the placing tolerances specified in ACI 117 before concrete
is placed. Placing tolerances shall not reduce cover requirements except as specified in ACI 117.
3.2.2 FRP reinforcement relocationWhen it is necessary
to move FRP reinforcement beyond the specified placing
tolerances to avoid interference with other reinforcement,
conduits, or embedded items, submit the resulting reinforcement arrangement for approval.
3.2.3 Concrete coverUnless otherwise specified,
concrete cover for FRP reinforcement shall be as indicated in
Table 3.1. Table 3.1 reports specified concrete cover requirements for FRP reinforcement for all exposure conditions
except those required for additional fire protection. For
bundled FRP bars, specified concrete cover shall be equal to
the equivalent diameter of the bundle, but need not be greater
than 50 mm, except the specified cover shall not be less than
indicated in Table 3.1. The equivalent diameter of the bundle
shall be computed based on the total area of the bundle.
Tolerances on specified concrete cover shall meet the
requirements of ACI 117.
3.2.4 FRP reinforcement supportsUnless otherwise
permitted, use the reinforcement supports as given in 3.2.4.1
through 3.2.4.7.

At formed surfaces and bottoms bearing

on concrete work mat

50

At unformed surfaces and bottoms in

contact with earth

75

Top of footings

Same as slabs

Over top of piles

50

3.2.4.1 Use precast concrete reinforcement supports to

support reinforcement from the ground or a mud mat.
3.2.4.2 Use wire reinforcement supports that are galvanized, coated with dielectric material, or made of dielectric
material (including FRP) to support FRP reinforcement.
3.2.4.3 Reinforcement and embedded steel items used
with FRP reinforcement shall be zinc-coated (galvanized) or
coated with nonmetallic materials, or stainless steel or stainless steel clad. In the case of carbon FRP (CFRP) bars, zinc
coatings, stainless steel, or stainless steel clad shall not be
used in direct contact with CFRP bars.
3.2.4.4 Use steel wires or dowels coated with dielectric
material or stainless steel when precast concrete reinforcement supports with embedded steel tie wires or dowels are
used with FRP reinforcement.
3.2.4.5 Reinforcement used as supports for FRP reinforcement shall be epoxy-coated or made of FRP.
3.2.4.6 In walls, use spreader bars that are epoxy-coated
steel or made of FRP. Proprietary combination bar clips and
spreaders used in walls with FRP reinforcement shall be made
of corrosion-resistant material or coated with dielectric material.
3.2.4.7 Tie wire shall be plastic- or polymer-coated wire.
For applications requiring complete electromagnetic
neutrality, glass FRP (GFRP) bars shall be tied in place using
nylon or plastic wire (zip) ties. Alternatively, thermoplastic
injection molded clips are permitted.
3.2.5 Mat reinforcementFor slabs-on-ground, extend
FRP mat reinforcement to within 50 mm of the concrete
edge. Lap splice edges and ends of FRP mat reinforcement
sheets as shown on the Project Drawings. Unless otherwise
specified or permitted, do not extend FRP mat reinforcement

440.5M-4

ACI STANDARD

Table 3.2Minimum radius of prefabricated bends

FRP bar size

Minimum inside bend diameter

No. 10 through 25

Three bar diameters

No. 29 and 32

Four bar diameters

through contraction joints. Support FRP mat reinforcement

during placing of concrete to maintain specified elevation in
the slab. Do not place FRP mat reinforcement on grade and
subsequently raise into position in concrete.
3.2.6 SplicesForm lap splices as indicated on the Project
Drawings. Mechanical splices for FRP reinforcement are not
permitted.
3.2.7 Field bending or straighteningIf the plans require
bent FRP bars, the bends shall be incorporated during bar
manufacture. Field bending or straightening of FRP bars are
not permitted.
3.2.8 Factory-formed bendsMinimum inside bend radii
shall conform to the requirements of Table 3.2. In addition,
the beginning of the bend shall not be closer to the concrete
surface than the minimum diameter of the bend.
3.2.9 FRP reinforcement through expansion jointDo
not continue FRP reinforcement or other embedded FRP
items bonded to concrete through expansion joints. FRP
dowels that extend through a joint or waterstop shall be
unbonded or bonded to only one side of a joint or waterstop.

3.3Repair of fiber-reinforced polymer bars

3.3.1 Damage to an FRP bar resulting in visible fibers
(other than at cut ends) or a cut or defect greater than 1 mm
deep shall be cause for rejection of a bar. Visible damage to
the FRP bars exceeding 2% of surface area per meter of bar
and not resulting in rejection by the Architect/Engineer shall
be repaired. The remedy for a damaged FRP bar shall be to
lap splice a new FRP bar adjacent to the damaged portion
with the appropriate lap length on either side of the damage.
3.4Field cutting of fiber-reinforced polymer
reinforcement
3.4.1 Field cut FRP reinforcement only when specifically
permitted using cutting methods specified by or acceptable
to the Architect/Engineer. When FRP reinforcing bars are
cut in the field, shear cutting is not permitted.
3.4.2 Cut ends shall be sealed if required by the FRP bar
manufacturer or the Architect/Engineer, and all surface
damage due to cutting shall be inspected by the Architect/
Engineer and repaired.
3.5Concrete placement
If FRP reinforcement is not adequately supported or tied to
resist settlement, floating upward, or movement in any direction during concrete placement, concrete placement shall be
halted until corrective measures are taken.

SPECIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION WITH FRP REINOFRICNG BARS

FOREWORD TO CHECKLISTS
F1. This Foreword is included for explanatory purposes
only; it does not form a part of ACI Specification 440.5M-08.
F2. ACI Specification 440.5M-08 may be referenced by
the Specifier in the Project Specification for any building
project, together with supplementary requirements for the
specific project. Responsibilities for project participants
must be defined in the Project Specification. The ACI
Specification cannot and does not address responsibilities
for any project participant other than the Contractor.
F3. Checklists do not form a part of ACI Specification
440.5M-08. Checklists assist the Specifier in selecting and
specifying project requirements in the Project Specification.

440.5M-5

F4. The Specifier shall make adjustments to the needs of a

particular project by reviewing each of the items in the
checklists and including the items the Specifier selects as
mandatory requirements in the Project Specification.
F5. The Mandatory Requirements Checklist indicates
work requirements regarding specific qualities, procedures,
materials, and performance criteria that are not defined in
ACI Specification 440.5M-08.
F6. The Optional Requirements Checklist identifies
Specifier choices and alternatives. The checklists identify
the Sections, Parts, and Articles of the Reference Specification
and the action required or available to the Specifier.
F7. The Submittal Checklist identifies Specifier choices
for information or data to be provided by the Contractor
before, during, or after construction.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

Section/Part/Article Notes to Specifier
2.1.1 FRP
reinforcing bars

State in the Contract Documents where the use of FRP reinforcing bars is required. State the types and sizes of FRP bars.

Specify the permitted method of cutting FRP bars. Acceptable methods include cutting with high-speed grinder or
3.4 Field cutting of
circular blade saw. Carborundum or diamond blades are preferred.
fiber-reinforced
polymer reinforcement

OPTIONAL REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

Section/Part/Article Notes to Specifier
1.4 Submittals

Specify which items, if any, listed in 1.4.1 through 1.4.3 are not required to be submitted.

2.1.1 FRP
reinforcing bars

Specify where FRP reinforcement shall not be deformed or sand coated. Smooth FRP bars should be used as dowels
where the intent is to transfer shear force while allowing bar sliding.

3.2.3 Concrete cover

Specify where concrete cover for FRP reinforcement shall be different from the values specified in Table 3.1.

3.2.4 FRP
Specify permitted reinforcement supports other than those listed in 3.2.4.1 through 3.2.4.7.
reinforcement supports
3.2.5 Mat
reinforcement

Specify where FRP mat reinforcement is permitted to extend through a contraction joint.

SUBMITTALS CHECKLIST
Section/Part/Article Notes to Specifier
1.4.1.1 FRP
reinforcement

FPR bar manufacturers certified test report.

1.4.1.2 Placing
drawings

Placing drawings showing fabrication dimensions and placement locations of FRP reinforcement and reinforcement
supports.

1.4.1.3 Splices

A list of splices and request to use splices not indicated in Contract Documents.

1.4.1.4 Supports

Description of reinforcement supports and materials for fastening reinforcement.

1.4.2 and 3.2.2

FRP reinforcement
relocation

Reinforcement arrangement when it is necessary to move FRP reinforcement beyond the specified placing
tolerances to avoid interference with other reinforcement, conduits, or embedded items.

1.4.3 Inspection and

quality control

Quality assurance/quality control program of plant manufacturing FRP reinforcement.

American Concrete Institute

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www.concrete.org

Specification for Construction with

Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars

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