The corrosion of concrete infrastructure is commonplace in brackish and salt water. Wharves, where steel is frequently utilized, is susceptible to a number of environmental factors, including:

• dry and wet cycles brought on by tidal action (corrosion activity is very intense in the tidal zone).
• atmospheric rusting brought on by weather and salt spray.
• exposure to oxygen, chloride, and excessive wetness.

Any environment that contains salts, chlorides, water, or chemicals can eventually cause the steel rebar to become contaminated. This can be considerably quicker in coastal areas. To protect against corrosion issues from the corrosive saltwater environment, Mateenbar™ was chosen as the reinforcement of choice in three Sydney Harbour Ferry station upgrade projects:

• Meadowbank Wharf
• McMahons Point Wharf (pictured above)
• Rhodes Wharf

Mateenbar™ GFRP rebar offers a long-term and sustainable alternative to extend the asset life cycles of marine constructions without the need for costly or extensive restoration procedures. Working with GFRP materials that offer strength and durability without requiring maintenance can significantly improve whole-of-life costs.