Tensile properties of basalt-fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars within seawater and sea sand concrete environment

This paper presents an investigation on the tensile properties (including tensile strength and Young’s modulus) of BFRP (basalt-fibre reinforced polymer) bars within SWSSC (seawater and sea sand concrete) solution using the accelerated corrosion tests. Three temperatures (room temperature, 40^oC and 55^oC) were adopted in the testing program. After exposed in SWSSC solution for 21, 42 and 63 days, respectively, each specimen was tested to failure. The test results showed that the tensile strength degradation rates of BFRP bars within SWSSC solution are slightly higher than those under alkaline solution generated from normal concrete at room temperature and 40^oC condition, while at 55^oC SWSSC solution appears much more aggressive than alkaline solution. The Young’s modulus of all BFRP bar specimens basically keeps unchanged after exposure to SWSSC solution for 63 days. Finally, the prediction of long-term performance of BFRP bars under SWSSC environment at five Australian capital cities is proposed, and the expected time corresponding to the tensile strength retention 50% was conservatively estimated.