Title: Flexural Behavior and Serviceability Performance of Lightweight Self-Consolidating Concrete Beams Reinforced with Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars

Author(s): Shehab Mehany, Hamdy M. Mohamed, and Brahim Benmokrane

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 120

Issue: 3

Appears on pages(s): 47-60

Keywords: basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars; bond-dependent coefficient; deflection and crack width; deformability; design codes; experimental and analytical investigation; flexural behavior; lightweight selfconsolidating concrete (LWSCC) beams; strength

DOI: 10.14359/51738502

Date: 5/1/2023

Abstract:
This study investigates the flexural behavior and serviceabilityperformance of lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC) beams reinforced with basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars. Eleven reinforced concrete beam specimens with a crosssectional width and height of 200 mm (7.87 in.) and 300 mm (11.81 in.), respectively, and with a total length of 3100 mm (122.05 in.) were tested under a four-point bending load up to failure. Nine specimens were made with LWSCC, while the other two were made with normalweight concrete (NWC) as reference specimens. The test parameters were concrete density (LWSCC and NWC), reinforcement type (sand-coated BFRP, helically grooved BFRP, thread-wrapped BFRP, or steel), and longitudinal BFRP reinforcement ratio. The test results indicate that the LWSCC yielded lower beam self-weight (density of 1800 kg/m3 [112.4 lb/ft3]) than the NWC. Increasing the BFRP reinforcement ratio increased the normalized moment capacity of the LWSCC specimens. Thetest results were compared from the standpoint of the cracking and ultimate moment, deflection, and crack-width design provided in the available design standards for FRP-reinforced elements. The comparison indicates that the experimental moment capacities of the LWSCC and NWC beams were in good agreement with the predictions based on design standards with an average accuracy of 90%. The crack width of the LWSCC beams was affected by the surface configuration of the BFRP bars, while the deflection was not significantly affected by the concrete density. The Canadian design code yielded accurate predictions with a bond-dependent coefficient of 0.8 and 1.0 for the sand-coated and helically grooved BFRP bars, respectively, in the LWSCC.