ISO 14484:2020

Overview

ISO 14484:2020 - Performance guidelines for design of concrete structures using fibre‑reinforced polymer (FRP) materials - is an international, performance‑based guidance document for using FRP systems in concrete design and retrofit. It covers a wide range of FRP applications (internal FRP reinforcement/tendons, external FRP tendons, externally bonded FRP sheets/plates, and near‑surface mounted FRP) and supports harmonized design for un‑reinforced, conventionally reinforced and pre‑stressed concrete structures. The standard emphasizes quantitative performance verification at serviceability and ultimate limit states, and complements regional prescriptive codes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Design basics and methodology
  • Performance‑based, quantitative evaluation of limit states (SLS and ULS).
  • Use of rational analysis methods and sound engineering judgement.
• Material properties
  • Requirements for concrete, steel and FRP properties; compatibility with exposure/environment.
  • Recognition of FRP geometries: bars, grids, plates, sheets, strands.
  • Consideration of bond behaviour and linear elastic FRP properties in design.
• Structural analysis
  • Procedures for stress/strain calculation, cracking, deflection and serviceability control.
• Serviceability limit states (SLS)
  • Crack width control, tension/flexural cracking, shear/torsion cracking, deflection checks.
• Ultimate limit states (ULS)
  • Axial, flexural and shear capacity (including punching shear and torsion).
  • Consideration of creep‑rupture and fatigue behaviour of FRP materials.
• Detailing and connections
  • Anchors, splices, bent configurations for FRP reinforcements/tendons.
  • Anchorage and splicing for externally bonded sheets/plates and near‑surface mounted systems.
  • Groove dimensions and bonding/adhesive provisions for NSM FRP.
• Scope extensions in the 2020 edition
  • Includes combined use of FRP with steel reinforcement and allows FRP compressive strength to be used in design.

Practical applications and users

ISO 14484:2020 is intended for:

• Structural engineers and designers developing new concrete elements with FRP or specifying strengthening schemes.
• Asset owners and facility managers planning FRP retrofits for corrosion mitigation or load upgrades.
• Contractors and manufacturers implementing FRP systems (bars, sheets, NSM) and producing compatible resins/adhesives.
• Code developers and researchers seeking harmonized, performance‑based criteria for international use.

Typical applications:

• Strengthening beams, slabs and columns with externally bonded or near‑surface mounted FRP.
• Using FRP tendons for pre‑stressing or external prestressing.
• Replacing or supplementing steel reinforcement in corrosive environments.

Related standards

• ISO 2394 - General principles on reliability for structures
• ISO 10406‑1 / ISO 10406‑2 - FRP reinforcement test methods (bars, grids, sheets)
• ISO 19338 - Performance and assessment requirements for design standards on structural concrete

ISO 14484:2020 serves as an umbrella, performance‑oriented reference to harmonize regional FRP design rules and support robust, durable concrete structures using FRP materials.