Title:
Long-Term Impact Behavior of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Seawater Sea-Sand Concrete Beams Under Marine Environment
Author(s):
Deju Zhu, Guoxi Zeng, Weilin Zhong, Weijian Yi, and Shuaicheng Guo
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
123
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
129-144
Keywords:
basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bar; drop-weight impact; impact behavior; seawater sea-sand concrete (SSC) beam
DOI:
10.14359/51749167
Date:
3/1/2026
Abstract:
The influence of alkaline aging on basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bar-reinforced concrete beams has not been thoroughly investigated, and the deterioration level can be further increased in seawater sea-sand concrete (SSC) due to increased alkalinity. This study aims to unveil the coupled influence mechanism of accelerated seawater aging and impact loading on the impact resilience of BFRP-SSC beams. The influence of concrete strength, reinforcement ratio, falling weight height, and accelerated aging in seawater on the impact resistance of BFRP-SSC beams is examined. The results indicate that enhancing concrete strength can increase the peak impact force more significantly than increasing the reinforcement ratio, due to the higher strain-rate sensitivity. The increased drop-weight energy can increase the peak impact force while reducing the residual bearing capacity. The accelerated aging in seawater can reduce the peak impact force and increase the maximum midspan displacement. Furthermore, the impact failure mode of the BFRP-SSC beam can be changed from concrete crushing to BFRP bar fracture due to the bar degradation. The peak impact forces of beam specimens soaked in seawater at room temperature and 55°C conditions were reduced by 13.8% and 15.5%, while the maximum midspan displacements were increased by 32.2% and 47.1%, respectively. This study can serve as a solid base for the impact design of FRP bar-reinforced seawater sea-sand concrete beams.
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