Studies on Flexural Behaviour of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Basalt Rebars

Abstract

Abstract The use of reinforcement of Fibre- Reinforced Polymer (FRP) in concrete structures has increased rapidly in the last 25 years due to its excellent corrosion resistance, fire resistance, high alkali resistance, high tensile strength to weight ratio, durability, flexural strength, insulation, good fatigue properties and magnetic transparency properties. Basalt concrete reinforcement bars called Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) are a new material, so it is important to define the mechanical properties and drawback of their use in the concrete structures in comparison to conventional reinforced concrete members. In this study Flexural behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with basalt rebars will be tested and compared with the Flexural strength obtained from experimental result with RC Beams and ACI-440 codal provision. It has been shown that much lower cross-sectional stiffness of the BFRP basalt bars produces higher deflections and crack widths compared to the steel bars beams of the same cross-section. Comparisons between the flexural strength obtained from the ACI-440 codal provision and that experimentally values in the current investigation elsewhere indicates disagreement.