Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are becoming more frequently adopted as so-called “corrosion-resistant” concrete reinforcement materials due to their excellent mechanical properties and formability. However, their long-term reliability must be thoroughly investigated in order to understand failure mechanisms and to develop service life models. This study is on the mechanical properties of a prototype basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene (BFPP) rod under quasi-static and sustained loading. Static strength and modulus at elevated temperatures do not decrease significantly, but the variability in strength increases with temperature, as shown by a Weibull analysis. Creep behavior is typical of unidirectional FRP, where the creep rupture strength follows a power law. Fatigue at various stress ratios R reveals the sensitivity of composite strength to the matrix damage, which increases at lower values of R (i.e., higher stress amplitudes). These results are discussed in the context of service life and concrete structure design guidelines.
Highlights
Reinforced and prestressed concrete is the most common structural system in the world, given its low cost per unit weight and formability [1]
Extensive work has been conducted on three common types of composites: carbon (CFRP), glass (GFRP), and aramid (AFRP) [18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27]
The creep behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) (BFRP)—especially containing epoxy matrices—has been investigated on cylindrical bars [32,33], and fatigue has been studied in various geometries with respect to failure mechanisms [34,35,36,37], stress ratios [38], matrix type [39], and environmental conditions [40]
Summary
Reinforced and prestressed concrete is the most common structural system in the world, given its low cost per unit weight and formability [1]. The creep behavior of basalt FRP (BFRP)—especially containing epoxy matrices—has been investigated on cylindrical bars [32,33], and fatigue has been studied in various geometries with respect to failure mechanisms [34,35,36,37], stress ratios [38], matrix type [39], and environmental conditions [40]. The effect of stress ratio R (i.e., the ratio of minimum and maximum applied stresses in a sinusoidal cycle) has not been investigated in great depth, as only R = 0.1, 0.5, and 0.8 were reported [37,38] These studies found that the failure mode of basalt/epoxy laminates changes from interfacial debonding to fiber rupture as R decreases. The thermal and mechanical properties of the rapidly produced thermoplastic composite were primarily evaluated by mechanical testing (static and fatigue) and electron microscopy, supported by an analysis of the material service life considering that the influence of stress ratio R is presented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
