Finite Element Modelling of Shear Critical Concrete Beams Reinforced with Basalt Fibres and Basalt Bars

Finite element (FE) models capable of simulating the nonlinear shear behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with basalt fibres (BF) and basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars were developed. Experimental tests were carried out to verify the validity of the prediction of the FE models. A parametric study was then conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using BF at different volume fractions (vf) to upgrade the shear capacity of BFRP-reinforced concrete beams made with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) with different replacement percentages. Published characterization test results were used as input data in the FE modelling. Results of the FE analysis indicated that beam models with RCA replacement percentages of 30-100% exhibited 10-28% reductions in the shear capacity compared with that of a control beam model made with natural aggregates (NA). The beam models with 30 and 60% RCA containing BF at vf = 0.5% exhibited a shear capacity comparable to or higher than that of the control beam model with NA. Despite the improvement in the shear response of the beam models with 100% RCA caused by the addition of BF, their shear capacity was lower than that of the control beam model with NA. The shear capacity of the beam model with 100% RCA containing BF at vf = 1.5% was 93% of that of the control beam model with NA.