Flexural behaviour of BFRP grid/bar reinforced UHPC beams and slabs

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2024-12, Vol.98, p.111121, Article 111121
• Main Authors: Wu, Dongyan, Wu, Wentao, Zhao, Junliang, Xia, Zhi-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP); Flexural behaviour; FRP bar; FRP grid; Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111121

This study investigates the integration of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), which exhibit significant potential for a durable and sustainable solution in marine and offshore infrastructure. An experimental program of BFRP grid/bar-reinforced UHPC beams and slabs subjected to four-point bending is presented. A total of nine beams and ten slabs were prepared and tested to investigate the effect of BFRP reinforcement ratio (0 %–3.33 %), type of reinforcement (grid and bar), and steel fiber content of UHPC (0 %, 1 %, 2 % and 3 %). The results revealed that the inclusion of BFRP reinforcement, even at a small reinforcement ratio, is feasible to enhance structural ductility due to the large rupture strain and superior strength characteristics of BFRP material. Moreover, the steel fibers played a crucial role in preventing shear failures of UHPC and creep failures of BFRP reinforcement. Within a range of 0–2 %, the steel fiber content not only benefited the load-resistance and deformation capacity but also effectively improved the cracking load. However, high fiber content (3 %) had a minimal contribution to load-bearing capacity and negatively affected ductility. A theoretical model based on the deflection method was employed to forecast the general behaviour of the flexural members. Comparisons between experimental results and numerical predictions confirm its accuracy. •BFRP reinforced UHPC members exhibit significant potential in marine infrastructure.•The performance was evaluated by a series of four-point bending tests.•The effect of reinforcement ratio, type and fiber content was assessed by parametric studies.•A theoretical model based on deflection method was employed for prediction.