Reinforced concrete with FRP bars: the Italian state of technical normative

The use of fiber-reinforced composite materials to replace steel for the construction of structural concrete elements is a common practice in many countries of the world. In Italy, although attention to this type of reinforcement has been manifested for some time and the scientific and technical community of our country has promptly engaged in the drafting of a Technical Document on the topic, published in 2007 by the CNR and entitled Instructions for the Design, Execution and Control of Reinforced Concrete Structures with Fiber-Reinforced Composite Material Bars, the Technical Standards for Construction issued by the Ministry of Infrastructures and Transportations (MIT) have so far not allowed unrestricted use. The use is subjected, on a case-by-case basis, to its approval by the Superior Council of Public Works. Only in May 2018, MIT set up a Working Group for the drafting of two Guidelines: one on the identification, qualification and acceptance of FRP bars (QGL) and another on the design of concrete structures reinforced with such bars (DGL). At the moment the two Working Groups have released the two draft Guidelines, which are currently being examined by a rapporteur commission in view of the discussion by the Assembly of the Superior Council of Public Works, the competent approval, with any amendments, and subsequent publication, the latter hopefully expected by the current year 2021. The essential contents of the two Guidelines are summarized herein.