ADVANCED CONCEPT CONCRETE USING BASALT FIBER/BF COMPOSITE REBAR REINFORCEMENT

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project evaluated basalt fiber composite rebars as an alternative to steel rebars as concrete reinforcement. Work in the initial stage focused on fabricating basalt fiber composite rebars using U.S. basalt and evaluating and optimizing the properties of rebars for use as concrete reinforcement. Initial tests for concrete-rebar bond strength were conducted with plain, 4-slot, and 8-slot basalt fiber rebars, as well as single, double and triple twisted cables using ASTM C-234 procedure. The results showed improved bond and no slippage between concrete and rebars with slots. Similar results were obtained for twisted cables. The concrete failure was not caused by bond failure or slippage. Additional laboratory testing of concrete beams and slabs reinforced with basalt fiber composite rebars verified the initial results and provided specifications for rebar parameters for use as concrete reinforcement.