Chloride diffusion behaviour and structural performance of basalt fiber- reinforced concrete beam in marine environment

Abstract

For marine reinforced concrete structures exposed to saline water, the rate of penetration of chloride ions into concrete is crucial to their performance. To resist the chloride penetration within marine structures, the incorporation of basalt fibers into M40-grade concrete was pursued. The current research develops into two primary investigations. The first pertains to the determination of chloride penetration depths and the associated diffusion coefficients of concrete cubes, while the second focuses on the structural behaviour of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete beams under chloride diffusion. The chloride diffusion coefficients were determined using experimental methods for eight concrete cubes with varying proportions of basalt fiber (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% v/v). These coefficients were subsequently validated through numerical methods, applying Fick’s law. Additionally, numerical techniques were employed to calculate chloride concentration and the corresponding flux at various diffusivity time intervals, leading to the development of corresponding chloride concentration equations. A corelation was developed in between chloride penetration depth, time period and dose of basalt fiber. The present model can be used as a tool for analysis to represent the real condition of concrete deterioration brought on by chloride action. In terms of examining structural responses, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted encompassing load deflection behaviors, crack propagation tendencies, and stress-strain analyses of concrete beams reinforced with basalt fibers. The stress block diagram had been modified by determining various stress block parameters (αandβ) of chloride diffused basalt fiber reinforced concrete beam under cyclic load.