• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.387-395
• /
• 2020

This study has been carried out in two-phases to develop Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (FRSCC) performance. In the first phase, the composition of the quaternary composite binder compromised CEM I 42.5N (58-70%), Rice Husk Ash (25-37%), quartz sand (2.5-7.5%) and limestone crushing waste (2.5-7.5%) were optimized. And in the second phase, the effect of two fiber types (steel brass-plated and basalt) was investigated on the SCC optimized with the optimum CB as disperse reinforcement at 6 different ratios of 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0% by weight of mix for each type. In this study, the theoretical principles of the synthesis of self-compacting dispersion-reinforced concrete have been developed which consists of optimizing structure-formation processes through the use of a mineral modifier, together with ground crushed cement in a vario-planetary mill to a specific surface area of 550 m2 / kg. The amorphous silica in the modifier composition intensifies the binding of calcium hydroxide formed during the hydration of C3S, helps reduce the basicity of the cement-composite, while reducing the growth of portlandite crystals. Limestone particles contribute to the formation of calcium hydrocarbonate and, together with fine ground quartz sand; act as microfiller, clogging the pores of the cement. Furthermore, the results revealed that the effect of fiber addition improves the mechanical properties of FRSCC. It was found that the steel fiber performed better than basalt fiber on tensile strength and modulus of elasticity; however, both fibers have the same performance on the first crack strength and sample destruction of FRSCC. It also illustrates that there will be an optimum percentage of fiber addition.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.199-220
• /
• 2018

In this study, the effects of sulphuric acid on the mechanical performance and the durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) specimens were investigated. The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) fabrics were used to evaluate the performances of the confined and unconfined ECC specimens under static and cyclic loading in the acidic environment. In addition, the use of CFRP and BFRP fabrics as a rehabilitation technique was also studied for the specimens exposed to the sulphuric acid environment. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber with a fraction of 2% was used in the research. Two different PVA-ECC concretes were produced using low lime fly ash (LCFA) and high lime fly ash (HCFA) with the fly ash-to-OPC ratio of 1.2. Unwrapped PVA-ECC specimens were also produced as a reference concrete and all concrete specimens were continuously immersed in 5% sulphuric acid solution ($H_2SO_4$). The mechanical performance and the durability of specimens were evaluated by means of the visual inspection, weight change, static and cyclic loading, and failure mode. In addition, microscopic changes of the PVA-ECC specimens due to sulphuric acid attack were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macroscale behavior of the specimens. Results indicated that PVA-ECC specimens produced with low lime fly ash (LCFA) showed superior performance than the specimens produced with high lime fly ash (HCFA) in the acidic environment. In addition, confinement of ECC specimens with BFRP and CFRP fabrics significantly improved compressive strength, ductility, and durability of the specimens. PVA-ECC specimens wrapped with carbon FRP fabric showed better mechanical performance and durability properties than the specimens wrapped with basalt FRP fabric. Both FRP materials can be used as a rehabilitation material in the acidic environment.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.41-53
• /
• 2024

Under constant and cyclic axial compression, square composite short columns reinforced with Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) added with scrap rubber infilled inside steel tubes and with different types of concrete were cast and tested. The test is carried out to find the effectiveness of utilizing an aggregate manufactured from industrial waste and to address the problems associated with the need for alternative reinforcements along with waste management. The main testing parameters are the type of concrete, the effect of fiber inclusion, and the significance of rubber-infilled steel tubes. The failure modes of the columns and axial load-displacement curves of the steel tube-reinforced columns were all thoroughly investigated. According to the test results, all specimens failed due to compression failure with a longitudinal crack along the loading axis. The fiber-reinforced column specimens demonstrated improved ductility and energy absorption. In comparison to the normal-weight concrete columns, the lightweight concrete columns significantly improved the axial load-carrying capacity. The addition of basalt fiber to the columns significantly increased the yield stress and ultimate stress to 9.21%. The corresponding displacement at yield load and ultimate load was reduced to 10.36% and 28.79%, respectively. The precision of volumetric information regarding the obtained crack quantification, aggregates, and the fiber in concrete is studied in detail through image processing using MATLAB environment.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.299-314
• /
• 2023

Long-gauge carbon fiber line (CFL) sensors have received considerable attention in the past decade. However, there is still a need for an in-depth investigation of their measuring accuracy. This study investigates the accuracy of carbon fiber line sensors to monitor and differentiate the flexural behavior of two beams, one reinforced with steel bars alone and the other reinforced with steel and basalt fiber-reinforced polymer bars. A distributed set of long-gauge carbon fiber line, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), and traditional strain gauge sensors was mounted on the tensile concrete surface of the studied beams to compare the results and assess the accuracies of the proposed sensors. The test beams were loaded monotonically under four-point bending loading until failure. Results indicated the importance of using long-gauge sensors in providing useful, accurate, and reliable information regarding global structural behavior, while point sensors are affected by local damage and strain concentrations. Furthermore, long-gauge carbon fiber line sensors demonstrated good agreement with the corresponding Fiber Bragg Grating sensors with acceptable accuracy, thereby exhibiting potential for application in monitoring the health of large-scale structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.457-471
• /
• 2023

To make up for the performance weaknesses of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), expand the application range of RAC, and alleviate the environmental problems caused by excessive exploitation of natural coarse aggregates (NCA), this study proposes a basalt fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (BFRRAC)-filled square steel tubular columns that combines two modification methods of steel tube and fiber, which may greatly enhance the mechanical properties of RAC. The axial compression performance for BFRRAC-filled square steel tubular columns was reported during this study. Seven specimens with different replacement ratios of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), length-diameter ratios, along with basalt fiber (BF) contents were designed as well as fabricated for performing axial compression test. For each specimen, the whole failure process as well as mode of specimen were discovered, subsequently the load-axial displacement curve has obtained, after which the mechanical properties was explained. A finite element analysis model for specimens under axial compression was then established. Subsequently, based on this model, the factors affecting axial compression performance for BFRRAC-filled square steel tubes were extended and analyzed, after which the corresponding design suggestion was proposed. The results show that in the columns with length-diameter ratios of 5 and 8, bulging failure was presented, and the RAC was severely crushed at the bulging area of the specimen. The replacement ratio of RCA as well as BF content little affected specimen's peak load (less than 5%). As the content of BF enhanced from 0 kg/m³ to 4 kg/m³, the dissipation factor and ductility coefficients increased by 10.2% and 5.6%, respectively, with a wide range.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2020

Columns are one of the most critical parts of a structural system subjected to earthquake excitations. In this regard, extensive experimental studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapping on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. Among them, many studies focused on the behavior of circular or square RC columns strengthened with CFRP or GFRP sheets. Since the cross-sectional shape affects confinement by FRP wrapping, its strengthening effect and final damage pattern may differ with shapes. In this study, a series of cyclic tests was conducted to investigate the seismic behavior of rectangular reinforced concrete columns strengthened with basalt-based fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) sheets and composite fiber panels. The result shows that the effect of strengthening is not significant, and it implies a little increase of confinement by BFRP sheets and composite fiber panels, which is considered partly due to the cross-sectional shape of the columns.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2023

In this study, the tensile behavior of concrete specimens reinforced with GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer), BFRP (Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer), and CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) bars was experimentally analyzed. The tensile strength of the FRP bars is appeared to be similar to the design strength, but the elastic modulus was somewhat lower. Additionally, the specimens for tension stiffening effect were manufacured using OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) and SFRC (Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete), with dimensions of 150(W)×150(B)×1000(H) mm. The crack spacing of specimens was most significant for GFRP reinforcement bars, which have a lower elastic modulus and a smoother surface, while BFRP and CFRP bars, with somewhat rougher surfaces and higher elastic moduli, showed similar crack spacings. In the load-strain relationship, GFRP bars exhibited a relatively abrupt behavior after cracking, whereas BFRP and CFRP bars showed a more stable behavior after the cracking phase, maintaining a certain level of tension stiffening effect. The tension stiffening index was somewhat smaller as the diameter increased, and GFRP, compared to BFRP, showed a higher tension stiffening index.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.201-218
• /
• 2018

In this study, the effects of magnesium sulfate on the mechanical performance and the durability of confined and unconfined geopolymer concrete (GPC) specimens were investigated. The carbon and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) fabrics with 1-layer and 3-layers were used to evaluate the performances of the specimens under static and cyclic loading in the ambient and magnesium sulfate environments. In addition, the use of FRP materials as a rehabilitation technique was also studied. For the geopolymerization process of GPC specimens, the alkaline activator has selected a mixture of sodium silicate solution ($Na_2SiO_3$) and sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) with a ratio ($Na_2SiO_3/NaOH$) of 2.5. In addition to GPC specimens, an ordinary concrete (NC) specimens were also produced as a reference specimens and some of the GPC and NC specimens were immersed in 5% magnesium sulfate solutions. The mechanical performance and the durability of the specimens were evaluated by visual appearance, weight change, static and cyclic loading, and failure modes of the specimens under magnesium sulfate and ambient environments. In addition, the microscopic changes of the specimens due to sulfate attack were also assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macroscale behavior of the specimens. Results indicated that geopolymer specimens produced with nano-silica and fly ash showed superior performance than the NC specimens in the sulfate environment. In addition, confined specimens with FRP fabrics significantly improved the compressive strength, ductility and durability resistance of the specimens and the improvement was found higher with the increased number of FRP layers. Specimens wrapped with carbon FRP fabrics showed better mechanical performance and durability properties than the specimens wrapped with basalt FRP fabrics. Both FRP materials can be used as a rehabilitation material in the sulfate environment.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2015

Ultra-High Strength Concrete(UHPC) has ultra-high material performance including high strength and high flowability. On the other hand it is less ductile than high ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composite. This study investigated the effect of combination of steel fiber and micro fiber on the tensile behavior of UHPC. Four types of UHPC containing combination of steel fiber, polyethylene(PE), polyvinyl alcohol(PVA), and basalt fiber were designed. And then uniaxial tension tests were performed to evaluate the tensile behavior of UHPC according to combination of fibers. And density was measured to evaluate whether micro fiber induces unintentional high pore or not. From the test results, it was exhibited that PE fiber with high strength is effective to improve the tensile behavior of UHPC and basalt fiber is effective to increase the cracking and tensile strength of UHPC. Furthermore, it was also verified that micro fiber does not make high pore.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.123-144
• /
• 2024

These days, cement production is increasing due to the growing world population, leading to expanded use of concrete in buildings. Yet, the production of cement significantly increases carbon emissions, putting the future of sustainable development at risk. Geopolymers are under research for their potential to reduce the impact on concrete buildings. In order to tackle this issue, the literature has yet to utilize experiments or numerical modeling to thoroughly investigate the mechanical behavior of columns made of hybrid fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (HFRGC) and reinforced with basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars. This research aims to investigate and assess the mechanical performance of steel-reinforced HFRGC columns (SRHC) and BFRP-reinforced HFRGC columns (GRHC) in concentric and eccentric loading conditions through experimental testing and finite element analysis (FEA). HFRGC specimens were prepared using steel and polypropylene fibers. Twelve circular columns, six GRHC, and six SRHC specimens, were constructed with a diameter of 300 mm and a height of 1200 mm. The average axial strength (AS) of GRHC columns was found to be 92.13% of that of SRHC columns, according to the study. Under eccentric stress circumstances, both kinds of specimens showed comparable losses in AS; for example, GRHC specimens with 38 mm spiral spacing showed reductions of 39.01% and 43.12%. Good performance was shown by the suggested analytical relationships that were drawn from the experimental data. The AS of GRHC columns may be predicted using the newly established analytical and FEA models, which are well supported by this comparative analysis that takes into account the wrapping impact of lateral BFRP spirals and the axial participation of primary BFRP bars.