Analysing the Impact of Basalt Fiber Concrete on Continuous Beams Reinforced with BFRP Bars through Numerical Simulation

The difference in flexural response of concrete beams due to reinforcement with conventional steel versus basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars was studied using finite element models that were validated using experimental data. In addition, the effect of basalt fibres on flexural response of beams reinforced with conventional steel or with BFRP bars was evaluated in each of the two cases. The commercial software ABAQUS was conducted to develop the finite element models and conduct the analysis. The effect of shear reinforcement on structural response was incorporated using two steel stirrup spacings. A total of 11 models were created to capture the effect of steel reinforcement ratio, BFRP reinforcement ratio, basalt fibres volume fraction, and stirrup spacings. Incorporating basalt fibres improves the beams ductility index and load-carrying capacity in both steel-reinforced and BFRP-reinforced beams. The reinforcement ratio for top and bottom reinforcement and stirrups spacing have a noticeable effect on failure mode and cracks distribution. Numerical models were able to success in simulating experimental tests for all beams.