Experimental Study on the Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with Steel-Wire Continuous Basalt Fiber Composite Plates

Abstract

This paper examines a technique for flexurally strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) beams using newly developed steel-wire continuous basalt fiber composite plates (SBFCPs) that comprise steel wires and continuous basalt-fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites. The test parameters consist of the volumetric ratio of steel wires in the SBFCPs, the composite plate type, and anchoring measures. The test results demonstrate that the SBFCP-strengthened specimens performed better than the unstrengthened specimen with respect to load capacity and member stiffness. Further, the flexural cracks are distributed more closely and uniformly than in the unstrengthened specimen. The SBFCP-strengthened beams have competitive advantages, particularly with respect to their ductility and performance-cost ratio, in comparison with specimens strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. A parametric study demonstrates that the volumetric ratio of steel wires in the SBFCPs affects the load capacity and stiffness of specimens strengthened with SBFCPs. The results also indicate that anchorage by steel plates and bolts improves the load capacity and ductility of strengthened specimens.