In large-scale infrastructure projects around the world, formwork systems play a critical role in shaping concrete structures. Traditionally, steel tie rods have been the go-to component for securing formwork panels, but their use comes with significant drawbacks: they must be removed after concrete sets, adding labor, transportation, and storage costs while creating potential weak points in the finished structure. SupAnchor, a globally recognized leader in geotechnical reinforcement systems and self drilling anchor systems, has addressed this challenge with the launch of the SupFRP® GFRP Tie Rod—a fiberglass-reinforced polymer rod designed to remain permanently in place, delivering superior performance, longevity, and cost savings.
Formwork tie rods are essential for maintaining the correct spacing and alignment of formwork panels during concrete pouring. Steel rods, while strong, are susceptible to corrosion, particularly in marine environments, underground structures, or chemically aggressive soils. Removing them after curing often requires specialized labor and can damage the concrete surface. Moreover, the holes left behind must be filled, adding another step to the construction process.
SupAnchor’s SupFRP® GFRP Tie Rod eliminates these issues entirely. Made from high-strength glass fiber reinforced polymer, the rod is completely corrosion-resistant, non-conductive, and non-magnetic. These properties make it ideal for use in sensitive environments such as railway electrification projects, MRI facilities, or chemical plants where traditional steel would degrade or interfere with equipment. The permanent application not only simplifies site operations but also contributes to a more robust final structure because the rod remains bonded to the concrete, improving overall integrity. Its good bond force with concrete means it can even act as secondary reinforcement, enhancing shear capacity in certain designs.
As a leading soil nail system manufacturer, SupAnchor draws on decades of experience with advanced composites and anchoring technology. The same innovation that drives their hollow bar anchors and self drilling anchor bolt designs now delivers this versatile tie rod. Its high end loading capability ensures reliable performance under the high pressures encountered in deep formwork or fast-paced concrete pours.
The SupFRP® GFRP Tie Rod is manufactured with a waved thread profile that matches standard steel rod threads, ensuring compatibility with existing accessories such as wing nuts and plate washers. This design choice allows construction teams to adopt the new composite rod without needing to retool their inventory. Two standard sizes are currently available, each offering impressive mechanical properties:
| Parameter | T15/130 | T20/250 |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Diameter (mm) * | 17 | 22 |
| Nominal Cross-sectional Area (mm²) ** | 130 | 250 |
| Guaranteed Tensile Load (kN) | 130 | 250 |
| Tensile E-Modulus (GPa) | 45 | 45 |
| Ultimate Strain (%) | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Weight (kg/m) | 0.37 | 0.71 |
| Standard Lengths (m) | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
* Including waved thread structure; ** Characteristic stress value in core.
The T15/130 rod, with a guaranteed tensile load of 130 kN and a weight of only 0.37 kg/m, provides an excellent strength-to-weight ratio for light to medium formwork setups. The heavier T20/250 offers 250 kN of tensile capacity, suitable for large-scale infrastructure such as bridge piers, high-rise building cores, and retaining walls. Despite their impressive strength, both rods are easy to handle on site—workers can cut them to length with standard saws, eliminating the need for heavy cutting torches or specialized equipment. The waved thread structure distributes loads more evenly than cut threads, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing the rod’s fatigue life.
The construction industry is increasingly focused on sustainability and lifecycle cost reduction. The SupFRP® GFRP Tie Rod aligns perfectly with these trends. By remaining in the concrete, it eliminates the need for extraction, hole patching, and steel disposal, significantly reducing onsite labor hours and waste. Transportation costs also drop, as the composite rods are lighter than steel equivalents and can be shipped in longer lengths without the risk of corrosion damage during storage.
In tunneling and mining applications, where formwork must withstand aggressive groundwater and chemical exposure, the corrosion resistance of GFRP ensures decades of trouble-free service. The non-magnetic and non-conductive nature of the rods adds safety benefits in underground construction and in proximity to sensitive electronic equipment. SupAnchor’s worldwide network of engineers can customize lengths and diameters to meet project-specific needs, backed by a team experienced in drill-and-grout bolt systems and geotechnical reinforcement solutions. From hollow bar anchors used in soil nailing to these advanced GFRP tie rods, SupAnchor provides a full spectrum of ground engineering products.
A demonstration video of the SupFRP® GFRP Tie Rod in action highlights the ease of installation and cuttability. Contractors can see firsthand how the rod integrates with standard wing nut assemblies and how it performs under tension. Early adopters in European infrastructure projects have reported up to 40% time savings on formwork removal processes when switching from steel to GFRP tie rods.
With decades of experience in rock and soil reinforcement, SupAnchor operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The development of the GFRP tie rod is a testament to the company’s ongoing investment in R&D and its responsiveness to feedback from international construction firms. “Our goal was to create a product that not only matches the mechanical performance of steel but also brings added value through weight savings, ease of installation, and long-term durability,” said a SupAnchor spokesperson. “The SupFRP® Tie Rod has already been deployed in several large-scale projects in Europe and Asia, and we are seeing strong interest from contractors in North America and Australia.”
As a forward-thinking ground anchor bolt factory, SupAnchor continues to lead with innovative, collaborative approaches to engineering challenges. Their portfolio, which includes the widely used self drilling anchor system for difficult ground conditions, now boasts this game-changing formwork component. Contractors seeking a reliable, cost-effective, and future-proof formwork tie rod can look to SupAnchor for proven performance.
For more information, including detailed technical datasheets and application videos, visit www.supanchor.com or contact the company’s regional sales teams.
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