Compression behaviour of BFRP bars

Abstract

The durability of building structures reinforced by steel is one of the main concerns in civil engineering. Currently, research in the field is focused on the possibility of replacing steel with relatively corrosion-resistant reinforcement, such as BFRP (Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymers) bars. The behaviour of BFRP bars during compression has not yet been determined. The experimental results pertaining to BFRP bars subjected to compression were presented and discussed in the paper. The research program involved the preparation of 45 BFRP samples with varying unbraced length and nominal diameter of 8 mm that were subjected to compression. For samples with the unbraced length of up to 85 mm, the destruction was caused by crushing. The bars with the unbraced length greater than 120 mm were destroyed as a result of global buckling of the bar and subsequent fiber kinking. Based on the relationship between the buckling load strength – unbraced length, the optimal unbraced length of BFRP bar was determined, for which buckling load strength reaches its maximum value. The buckling load strength decreased, as the unbraced length increased. The values of modulus of elasticity under compression for variable unbraced lengths were slightly different for the samples, and were similar to the modulus of elasticity obtained at the tensile testing. The relationship between the buckling load strength and the unbraced length of BFRP bars was determined. This may contribute to the optimization of the transverse reinforcement spacing in compressed elements and to the development of standard provisions in the area of elements reinforced with FRP bars being subjected to compression.

Keywords

• bfrp reinforcement
• buckling
• compression properties
• compression
• crushing
• sem analysis