Date of Graduation

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

P V Vijay

Committee Co-Chair

Radhey S Sharma

Committee Member

P V Vijay

Committee Member

Yoojung Yoon

Abstract

In the last decade, FRP composites in the form of internal and external reinforcement are being increasingly employed for construction and rehabilitation of structures. Glass and carbon fibers were the main types of fibers used in these composites and basalt fibers are emerging as alternative forms of reinforcement. Basalt fibers have high strength, stiffness, and corrosion resistance that are typical of composites. Composites are less expensive than carbon fibers and have better performance than E-glass fibers. The main objective of this research is to evaluate and determine the performance of concrete members reinforced with basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP). This research investigates the mechanical properties of basalt FRP bars in tension, compression, shear and bond. Concrete beams reinforced with BFRP bars (#4 and #5) and external BFRP fabrics were tested in bending. It was noted that the use of BFRP in concrete beams increased their bending capacity along with a reduction in the deflection and crack-width. Additionally, confinement related increased in strength and stiffness due to BFRP wrapping on concrete cylinders were investigated. The per layer increase in strength due to a layer of BFRP wrapping was up to 42%. Theoretical values and experimental results were found to correlate reasonably well for cylinders and beams reinforced with BFRP. Additional testing and research are recommended with expanded parameters to develop refined deflection and crack-width models with due consideration to the BFRP stress, strain and bond-values.

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