Structural Behavior of Ultra-High Strength Concrete Columns Reinforced with Basalt Bars Under Axial Loading

Abstract

AbstractThe axial compressive behavior of Ultra-High Strength Concrete (UHPC) columns reinforced with basalt bars was investigated in this work. Only a few research projects have used basalt Reinforced Concrete Columns. Under axial stress, 12 columns of 150 × 150 mm in cross section and 1200 mm in height manufactured of M120 grade UHPC, incorporating glass powder lime powder, were tested. The primary characteristics investigated in this study were axial load capacity, axial deformation, failure pattern, ductility, and stiffness. The findings of the experimental tests revealed that the ultimate loads and behavior of UHPCC reinforced with BFRP were superior to concrete columns strengthened with steel reinforcement. When compared to steel RC columns, basalt RC columns carry about 90% of the axial load. Moreover, the BFRP bar tensile strength was 2.5 greater than reinforcing steel yield strength and 1.79 times larger than that of bar. The Ansys software-based analytical analysis assisted in predicting the eventual carrying capacity of UHPC columns. The agreement among the experimental and NLFE ultimate load is around 92.2%, with a standard deviation of 0.005 and a coefficient of variation of 0.00002. The nonlinear BFRP–UHPC columns’ structural performance was adequately predicted by the finite element analysis. In addition, equations are employed to forecast the strength of confined concrete. Equation 4 merely produced improved forecasts, it aids in comparing the outcomes of analytical and experimental tests. Results of this study indicated that the UHPC-columns reinforced with BFRP bars offer potential economic and environmental advantages as compared to traditional RC columns.