Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer Research Articles

Eccentric loading behavior of fibrous self-consolidated concrete columns reinforced with basalt FRP (BFRP) bars and spirals

Limited experimental research has been conducted to investigate the eccentric behavior of fibrous self-consolidating concrete (FSCC) columns reinforced with basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars. In this study, ten full-scale FSCC columns reinforced with BFRP bars were designed and tested under eccentric loading to examine the effects of longitudinal reinforcement ratio (2.2 % and 3.3 %), varying eccentricities (25, 50, 100, and 200 mm), and the inclusion of synthetic macro fibers in concrete. The findings reveal a transition from compression-controlled failure at low eccentricity to flexural–tensile failure at higher eccentricities. The use of FSCC delayed concrete cover spalling and resulted in a more gradual and less brittle failure. On the other hand, the specimens' mechanical behavior and capacity increased somewhat when the longitudinal reinforcement ratio was increased from 2.2 % to 3.3 %. Consequently, the effect of this ratio was more noticeable in the post-peak behavior. The BFRP reinforcement significantly improved the overall eccentric load behavior across different eccentricities, maintaining integrity up to the limits set by CSA S806. Additionally, a novel model based on ACI-544.4 R-18 for predicting the P–M interaction diagram of FSCC columns was developed, showing better alignment with the observed behavior compared to existing approaches in ACI 440.1 R and CAN/CSA S806, which do not account for FSCC properties.

Study on the mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber-reinforced lead oxide nanoparticle polymer composite for advanced energy storage applications

Study on the mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber-reinforced lead oxide nanoparticle polymer composite for advanced energy storage applications

Interlaminar shear behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer tendons subjected to a combined effect of prestress, grout and seawater

Interlaminar shear behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer tendons subjected to a combined effect of prestress, grout and seawater

Crack Behavior in Asphalt Composite CRCP with Basalt Fiber Reinforcement

Basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars are corrosion-resistant and have potential to be used in continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). In this paper, the layout of an asphalt composite CRCP test section with BFRP bars at 0.5% is presented. This 8m wide by 250m long, two lane test section has been constructed on G330 National Road in Zhejiang Province, China. A number of instruments, such as temperature sensors and strain gages, were installed to monitor the performance of the test section. An analytical model is introduced to predict the crack behavior of CRCP with BFRP bars compared to conventional CRCP with steel reinforcement. According to the observation before placement of the 10cm asphalt layer, the crack spacing ranged from 3.5m to 5m with crack widths of 1.3mm to 1.4mm, which agreed reasonably well with the predicted values from the analytical model. For similar crack widths as steel-reinforced CRCP, a higher reinforcement ratio is required.

Strengthening Fire-Damaged Lightweight Concrete T-Beams Using Engineered Cementitious Composite with Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Grid

Lightweight concrete (LWC) is a long-standing development in the area of construction materials. LWC has become increasingly important for sustainable construction due to its reduced susceptibility to cracking. However, when exposed to extreme temperatures during fires, LWC can lose its compressive strength and ductility. This study investigates the performance of lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) concrete T-beams exposed to elevated temperatures. The research also focuses on the use of an engineered cementitious composite with a basalt fiber-reinforced polymer grid (ECCBFG) as a rehabilitation method for fire-damaged T-beams. Key variables considered include the concrete cover thickness (20 and 30 mm), fire exposure duration (30 and 60 min), and thickness of the ECCBFG layer. Thermocouples were installed at various points within the beams to monitor the heat gradient across the cross-section. Fourteen concrete beam specimens were tested, including control beams, fire-damaged beams, and beams strengthened with the ECCBFG layer. Key performance parameters, such as the energy absorption, cracking load, ductility index, maximum load capacity, and corresponding displacement, were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the strengthened beams outperformed the fire-damaged beams, closely matching the performance of undamaged reference beams in most aspects, except energy absorption. The findings suggest that further research is needed to optimize certain performance indicators and address challenges in strengthening fire-damaged beams.

A Review on Research Advances and Applications of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer in the Construction Industry

A Review on Research Advances and Applications of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer in the Construction Industry

Enhanced Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Copper-Modified Basalt-Reinforced Epoxy Composites.

The increasing demand for high-performance materials in industrial applications highlights the need for composites with enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. Basalt fiber-reinforced polymers (BFRP) are promising materials due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio and environmental benefits, yet their wear resistance and tensile performance often require further optimization. This study examines how adding copper (Cu) powder to epoxy resin influences the mechanical and tribological properties of BFRP composites. Epoxy matrices, modified with 5%, 10%, and 15% weight fractions (wf.%) of copper powder, were reinforced with BFRP-type fabric, using a vacuum bag manufacturing method. Mechanical tests, including bending and tensile tests, showed notable improvements in tensile strength and flexural modulus due to copper addition, with higher copper (Cu) content enhancing ductility. Tribological tests using a pin-on-disk tribometer revealed reduced wear rates and an optimized coefficient of friction. Statistical analysis and 3D microscopy identified wear mechanisms such as delamination and protective copper film formation. The results highlight the significant potential of copper-modified BFRP composites for applications demanding superior mechanical and tribological performance.

Axial Load-Bearing Concrete Confined with Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Jackets and Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) Grids

Axial Load-Bearing Concrete Confined with Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Jackets and Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) Grids

Investigation of Some Physical and Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) Woven Fabrics and Plaster Mesh (PSM) Reinforced Glued Laminated Oak Lumber

In this study, some physical and mechanical properties of the basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) woven fabrics (WF) and plaster mesh (PSM) reinforced glued laminated oak lumber were investigated. The BFRPWF and PSM were used in order to increase the mechanical properties of the laminated elements. One-component polyurethane glue (PUR) was used in the production of lumber. The BFRPWF and PSM were tested in three different locations using non-reinforced laminated oak lumber (LOL), reinforced laminated oak lumber with BFRPWF (LOLBFRPWF), and reinforced laminated oak lumber with PSM (LOL-PSM). Tests were performed on the LOL, LOLBFRPWF, and LOL-PSM to investigate their bending strength (MOR), air-dried density (δ12), and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The three-point MOR and MOE in bending tests were applied to the samples. The results showed that the highest value for MOR was found in the laminated wood samples (135.20 N/mm2) that were prepared using the BFRPWF inter-layer. The lowest value of 112.82 N/mm2 was found in the LOL samples. The highest value of modulus elasticity was found in the samples prepared with the BFRPWF inter-layer (16167 N/mm2). The lowest value of 13786 N/mm2 was found in the LOL samples. It was observed that the samples parallel to the glue line of the laminated material showed higher performance compared to those perpendicular to the glue line. The LOL-BFRPWF samples give better results than LOL-PSM and control samples. Accordingly, the LOL-BFRPWF and LOL-PSM samples have the potential to be used as viable options for both furniture and building materials.

Flexural Behavior of BFRP Bar-Recycled Tire Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams.

This research advocates for the use of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars and recycled tire steel fibers to reinforce concrete beams. Six concrete beams were constructed using different volume contents of recycled tire steel fibers (0, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) and BFRP reinforcement ratios (0.48%, 0.75%, 1.08%). Mechanical properties tests were conducted to investigate the flexural characteristics and failure modes of beams utilizing the non-contact full-field strain displacement measuring technology-digital image (3D-DIC) technology. The recycled tire steel fiber (RTSF) improves flexural performance, which contributes to inhibiting crack propagation, reducing flexural deformation, and improving the first cracking and ultimate loading capacities. Under the same reinforcement ratio, in comparison to ordinary BFRP beams, the cracking load of BFRP-RTSF beams increased by 17.73%, 23.76%, and 42.94%, respectively, and the ultimate bearing capacity increased by 4.03%, 5.85%, and 13.21%, respectively. In addition, a modified calculation model of bearing capacity considering RTSF tensile strength is proposed. The predicted values of BFRP-RTSF beams match well with the experimental values.

High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fibers: A Step Towards Fire-Safe Materials for Photovoltaic Applications

Amidst the urban energy transition towards clean and renewable energy, distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems are emerging as critical infrastructure. However, the evolution of PV rack and mount systems has lagged, particularly in addressing cost efficiency and fire safety This study focuses on the high-temperature mechanical properties of basalt fibers (BFs), a key component of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP), to establish a foundational understanding for future BFRP applications. The experimental results demonstrate that basalt fibers retain approximately 150 MPa residual tensile strength at 600 °C (30–40% of room temperature strength of Q235B steel) and 94 MPa at 800 °C, outperforming steel under similar conditions. Furthermore, the decomposition of wetting agents and Fe2+ oxidation at 600 °C was observed to stabilize after 100 min, maintaining structural integrity. These findings validate the high-temperature performance of BF, paving the way for subsequent studies at the BFRP composite level, which will address structural optimization and fire-resistance strategies for PV rack and mount systems. This research provides a critical step toward improving the safety and sustainability of urban PV systems.

Developing low-alkalinity geopolymer concrete for enhanced durability of BFRP bars toward sustainable marine engineering

Geopolymer concrete reinforced with basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) is a promising alternative to conventional steel-reinforced concrete in marine environments. However, despite BFRP’s longer lifespan than steel, its durability remains constrained by its degradation in high-alkalinity concrete, hindering the application of BFRP-reinforced geopolymer concrete. This study aims to develop low-alkalinity geopolymer concrete to address this challenge. To achieve this goal, the effects of initial Na/Al, Si/Al, and water/binder ratios on geopolymer pore solution pH and compressive strength were investigated using response surface methodology. The developed low-alkalinity formulation was evaluated based on the performance of embedded BFRP bars in the accelerated aging test. Results showed that the most effective way to reduce geopolymer pore solution pH is by increasing the initial Si/Al ratio, which is attributed to the increased Si concentration in the pore solution and the transformation of the dominant anion from OH− to [SiO(OH)3]−. Decreasing the initial Na/Al ratio also reduces the pH by reducing the Na concentration in the pore solution, but this approach is less effective. These compositional adjustments reduce N-A-S-H formation but concurrently increase its Si/Al ratio, thus maintaining enough strength. The developed low-alkalinity formulation, with an initial Si/Al ratio of 2.5 and a Na/Al ratio of 0.75, achieves a pore solution pH of 12.5. The water/binder ratio has minimal impact on pH, and higher strength can be achieved by lowering the water/binder ratio. The embedded BFRP bars exhibit 17% higher tensile strength retention compared to those in normal geopolymer concrete after 180 days at 55°C and are estimated to maintain over 70.69% strength retention consistently according to the prediction equation. Enhanced BFRP durability with low-alkalinity geopolymer concrete offers a novel solution for sustainable marine infrastructure.

Enhancing Industrial Safety Helmets: Development and Evaluation of Epoxy-Based Glass and Basalt Fiber Composites

Abstract Employing personal protective equipment, including helmets for safety, at industrial sites is the ultimate step in averting disasters, and such equipment is commonly recognized the disposable items. Industrial safety helmets employ Polypropylene Terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP) resins is the primary material for shell to efficiently absorb impacts. Additionally, they exhibit a commendable level of heat resistance. Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of active initiatives to develop novel materials using a straightforward fabrication approach. The objective of this work was to enhance safety behaviour of industrial helmets by using epoxy resin as the matrix to develop composite material consisting of glass fiber and basalt fiber in a direct cross-ply arrangement. Subsequently, the performance of this composite material was evaluated in relation to glass and basalt composites, and PET plastic. The samples are produced through compression molding method. The tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), impact strength (IS), and inter laminar shear strength (ILSS), and their heat resistance capabilities are assessed using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The impact energy absorptions of BFRP, BF/GFRP, and GFRP were 6.3, 6.1, and 5.2 times higher than that of PET plastic correspondingly. Superior heat resistance was demonstrated by specimens built of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) and Basalt Fiber/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BF/GFRP), as compared to the other scenarios. For instance, when compared to PET plastic, BFRP was 24.9 times stronger while BF/GFRP was 12.7 times stronger. The outcomes of this research work are showed that the basalt and glass fiber reinforced composites (BF/GFRP) exhibit the superior impact energy absorption than PET plastic.

Dramatic mechanical increments of basalt fiber/phthalonitrile (BF/PN) composites by constructing a unique micro/nano hybrid interface

The weak interfacial interaction in basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) composite generally produces stress concentration failures. This study presents a method to enhance the interface properties in BF/PN composites by constructing a unique micro/nano hybrid interface onto BFs through the in situ complexation reaction and the subsequent introduction of CNTs. The muti-scale FePc/CNTs hybrid interface significantly improved the surface roughness/wettability of BFs and the mechanical properties of final BF/PN composites. A high flexural strength of 1098.8 MPa and a maximum ILSS of 62.8 MPa are observed in p-CNT3-BF/PN composites, increased by 64.8% and 93.2% compared with that of original BF/PN composite. The organic polar groups in FePc/CNTs hybrid improve interfacial compatibility and bonding of BFs with matrix, resulting in multi-scale interfacial interactions and stress transfer in BF/PN composites. This research will contribute to the construction of micro/nano hybrid interfaces onto fiber surface and offers valuable insights for the developments and applications of FRPs.

Research Progress on the Impact Resistance of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract Basalt fibers exhibit excellent properties and have diverse applications. This paper thoroughly investigates the impact resistance of polymer matrix composites reinforced by basalt fibers and analyzes the failure mechanisms during impact, including micro-deformation, delamination, and fiber fracture. Basalt fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites consist of a reinforcement phase, a matrix phase, and an interface phase. To strengthen the material’s resistance to impacts, various approaches have been explored, including optimizing the matrix resin (e.g., selecting vinyl resin and toughening treatments), optimizing the reinforcement phase (e.g., fiber hybridization, morphology optimization, and interlayer hybridization), and improving the interface phase (e.g., coupling agent modification and carbon nanotube grafting). These optimization measures can significantly enhance the impact resistance of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer materials under low-velocity impact loads. Under high-velocity impact loads, increasing the number of laminate layers or employing three-dimensional weaving techniques can significantly improve the material’s impact resistance. These research findings aim to provide a theoretical foundation and practical references for the application of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer materials within the domain of impact resistance.

Influence of sand coating intensity on bond properties between basalt fibre-reinforced polymer bars and concrete

Influence of sand coating intensity on bond properties between basalt fibre-reinforced polymer bars and concrete

Out-of-plane shear behavior of BFRP-reinforced geopolymer concrete one-way slabs: Experimental and numerical investigations

Sustainability and durability in construction are vital considerations that involve using environmentally friendly materials and implementing efficient design and construction techniques to minimize the environmental impact. This research study investigated the structural behavior of one-way solid slabs incorporating basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) reinforcement and geopolymer concrete to develop an environmentally sustainable and durable structural member. Six full-scale BFRP-reinforced geopolymer concrete one-way slab specimens were prepared and subjected to four-point loading tests to assess their out-of-plane shear performances. The considered experimental parameters were compressive strength of concrete (i.e., 30, 40 and 50 MPa) and longitudinal tensile reinforcement ratios (i.e., 1.20% and 2.18%). The structural performance of the slabs was carefully investigated in terms of crack patterns, failure modes, load-deflection relationships and load-strain relationships. The obtained shear resistances from tests were compared with predicted results from the Codes of Practice and design guidelines. A two-dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) analysis was conducted, considering the bond-slip relationship between BFRP rebar and geopolymer concrete. It was found that all tested specimens were governed by shear failure and had similar shear resistance for the chosen values of considered parameters. The JSCE shear design method provided the closest prediction of shear resistance of BFRP-reinforced geopolymer concrete one-way slab. The developed FE models predicted the out-of-plane shear performance with reasonable accuracy and revealed that the slip distribution of the BFRP rebar presents a sawtooth shape owing to concrete cracking.

Improving predictive accuracy for punching shear strength in fiber-reinforced polymer concrete slab-column connections via robust deep learning

Amidst the evolving landscape of structural engineering, this study addresses the pressing need for a robust, data-driven model in the context of alternative reinforcement techniques such as Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars and the application of Machine Learning (ML) methodologies for predicting the punching shear strength (PSS). Structural engineering heavily relies on accurate predictions of PSS for ensuring the safety and durability of various constructions. However, existing models often lack the comprehensiveness and precision required to effectively address the diverse and complex factors influencing PSS in FRP-reinforced concrete structures. This research explored the shear strength of FRP-reinforced concrete slabs, with a particular focus on the different types of FRP, namely Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP), Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), and Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (HFRP). Leveraging an innovative deep learning approach, the study utilizes a dataset comprising 285 samples gathered from 56 distinct studies to train models that incorporate 11 dependent variables. This comprehensive approach aims to capture the intricate interplay between geometric, material, and other pertinent factors influencing PSS. The study employs a connection weight method to evaluate the significance of various features and introduces a novel Graphical User Interface (GUI) to enhance user interaction with the Deep Neural Network (DNN) model designed for PSS prediction. Through meticulous experimentation and analysis, the research identifies an optimal DNN architecture that achieves a minimum Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.81, validated through k-fold cross-validation. Key conclusions highlight the critical influence of specific features, such as slab depth, column-to-slab area ratio, and modulus of elasticity, on the predictive accuracy of the model. Conversely, certain factors like slab area, reinforcement ratio, and concrete compressive strength negatively impact predictions. SHAP analysis further elucidates the significance of FRP type and column length-to-width ratio as pivotal factors affecting PSS predictions. These findings underscore the potential of the developed model in enhancing the dependability and practicality of structural engineering applications. Moreover, they point towards future research directions aimed at refining predictive accuracy and exploring broader applications in the field of building engineering.

Thermal and mechanical analysis of thermal break structure in balcony with basalt fiber reinforced polymer

Thermal break structure is an effective design to reduce building energy consumption in balcony. The traditional stainless-steel bars or other FRP components reinforced thermal break structures can't enable both mechanical performance and thermal insulation concurrently because these materials are difficult to have low thermal conductivity and high mechanical properties at the same time. This paper proposes to use basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) to construct the thermal break structure due to the high load-bearing capacity and thermal insultation of BFRP. The thermal performance of the structure is systematically verified through three-dimensional simulation. Influence of thermal break widths, loading point positions, shear reinforcement forms and reinforcement types on the mechanical properties of the structure is investigated. The results show that BFRP can significantly reduce the linear heat transfer transmittance while ensuring structural mechanical properties. A larger thermal break width leads to the low load-bearing capacity of the structure. Lower BFRP compressive reinforcements need enough diameter to provide compressive strength and shear reinforcement forms can significantly increase the mechanical properties of the thermal break. Upper tensile reinforcements can be selected depending on the stiffness and insulation requirements in practical engineering. Based on experimental results, force transfer mechanism is analyzed and the rationality of the structural design is identified. The maximum length of the cantilever slab without shear reinforcement forms is approximately 2.94 m when meets the serviceability limit state. The results suggest that newly designed BFRP thermal break structure can effectively solve thermal bridge problems in balcony.

Behavior of laminated bamboo columns under low cyclic reversed loading

Laminated bamboo, a type of eco-friendly engineered bamboo product, is increasingly gaining attention in the field of civil engineering. Although there has been considerable research on the material properties of laminated bamboo, studies focusing on the seismic performance of laminated bamboo columns are still relatively scarce. This paper discusses in detail the behavior of laminated bamboo columns and BFRP (Basalt fiber reinforced polymer) reinforced laminated bamboo columns under low cyclic reversed loading. In particular, the effects of slenderness ratio and axial compression ratio on laminated bamboo columns and BFRP reinforced laminated bamboo columns are studied. The hysteresis behavior of the column specimens is first tested through experiments. The results show that under low cyclic reverse loading, the failure of laminated bamboo columns is due to the tensile fracture and compressive bending of bamboo strips, as well as the tensile fracture of BFRP. To quantify the mechanical performance of laminated bamboo columns, parameters of interest are defined and discussed, including load-bearing capacity, stiffness, energy dissipation, and equivalent viscous damping. The load-bearing capacity and stiffness of laminated bamboo columns and BFRP reinforced laminated bamboo columns are significantly affected by the slenderness ratio and axial compression ratio. The yield loads for the column specimens with slenderness ratios of 37.0, 63.4, and 77.5 are within the ranges of 2.08–7.64 kN, 1.63–5.15 kN, and 1.82–7.51 kN, respectively. Laminated bamboo columns exhibit a satisfactory energy dissipation, with the maximum observed equivalent viscous damping exceeding 50 %. Furthermore, combining theoretical calculations and fitting analysis, bilinear skeleton curve models for both laminated bamboo columns and BFRP reinforced laminated bamboo columns are presented, showing a good agreement with experimental results. This research aims to provide some references for the design of laminated bamboo structures in future practical engineering.