Mouaz Chkhachirou, Hilal El-Hassan, Tamer El-Maaddawy, Mohammed AbuGhali

Abstract: This research studies the performance of sand-coated basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) in two different environments under varied temperatures conditioned for 3 months. During the conditioning period, these BFRP specimens were subject to two environmental conditioning schemes: moist geopolymer concrete and alkaline solution simulating the concrete pore solution. The conditioning temperature varied among 20, 40, and 60°C. Both types of concrete were designed with a nominal cylindrical compressive strength of 40 MPa with a slag-to-fly ash mass ratio of 1:3. The tensile strength, moisture uptake, and matrix retention of BFRP bars were measured. Test results highlighted the tensile strength of BFRP bars submerged in moist geopolymer concrete decreased significantly, retaining 68.3%, 47.6%, and 57.9% at 20°C, 40°C, and 60°C, respectively. In contrast, BFRP bars in the alkaline solution showed superior tensile performance with retention of 95.4%, 97.1%, and 91.2% at the same conditioning temperatures. All tested bars in moist geopolymer concrete exhibited higher moisture uptake compared to those in the alkaline solution. At 20°C, the moisture uptake was nearly double in geopolymer concrete, and this trend continued at higher temperatures. This indicates a higher rate of water diffusion in geopolymer concrete, which accelerates degradation mechanisms such as hydrolysis. The matrix retention of BFRP bars was significantly lower in moist geopolymer concrete, especially at elevated temperatures, suggesting greater susceptibility to resin matrix degradation in this environment. These results highlight the crucial influence of the surrounding concrete environment on the long-term performance of BFRP bars

Keywords: Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Moist Geopolymer Concrete, Alkaline Solution, Tensile Strength, Durability.

Date Published: August 16, 2024
DOI: 10.11159/ijci.2024.014

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