Investigation on the Alkali-Resistance Properties of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Plastics Bars in Concrete

Abstract

As a new type of building material, Basalt Fiber Reinforced Plastics is employed in concrete in place of steel reinforcement under such strongly-corrosive environment as marine engineering projects to avoid durability problem caused by corrosion. But BFRP bars’ alkali-resistance must be considered and studied. In this study, BFRP was soaked in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution and its tensile strength was measured through long-period immersion and high-temperature immersion experiments respectively. Besides, accelerated high-temperature method was adopted to detect its main ingredients: continuous Basalt fiber and resin. The results indicate that BFRP has poor alkali-resistance and its alkali-resistance must be improved if it is applied in concrete for long-term purpose.