ABSTRACT
Basic Study for Seismic Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Structural Members Using Basalt Fiber (BF) and Ductile Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN)
FRP is a composite material made of fibers that have high strength embedded in a polymer matrix that binds the fibers together. The fibers are mainly responsible for load carrying capacity, while the polymeric matrix contributes to the load transfer and provides fibers with protection from the environment. Common fibers used in civil engineering applications include carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and glass fiber. The mechanical and physical properties of FRP are controlled by their constituent properties and by the micro-structural configuration.
In the present research, an experimental investigation is presented dealing with material properties of PEN and BF, confinement effect of PEN and BF wrapping on concrete, and durability of PEN and BF. PEN has nonlinear stress-strain behavior, large rupture strain (ultimate strain over 6-7%), and moderate tensile strength (over 800 MPa). BF has linear elastic stress-strain relationship, shows limited ductility in tension with ultimate strain about 2% with good strength (over 1,200 MPa). Ductile PEN may have advantages and thus a good potential in the seismic retrofitting due to its ductile behavior.
The compressive behavior of concrete cylinders and rectangular sections with rounded corners externally wrapped with continuous BF and PEN sheet in the form of roving and sheet, respectively, was investigated. Specimens were wrapped with 1, 2, and 3 layers of PEN sheet or 2, 4, and 6 layers of BF roving. A total of 63 specimens was tested in axial compression to investigate the stress-strain behavior of cylindrical and prismatic concrete laterally confined by BF and PEN. Analytical work was carried out on concrete cylindrical specimens. Confinement effectiveness factors, k1 and k2, were determined for PEN and BF, respectively.
Experimental research was completed on durability of externally bonded FRP to understand the
durability aspect for design considering FRP long-term behavior in extreme environments. Beam
specimens externally reinforced by PEN fiber and BF were studied. Total of 30 plain concrete beams
(100 100 400 mm) were studied that is 15 each for BF and PEN, respectively, in three different
environments: water at 60˚C, 1N NaOH at 60˚C, and standard laboratory condition for 4 months. Threepoint
flexural tests and pull-off tests were carried out.
Durability of PEN fiber and BF was studied under severe environmental conditions. Fiber mechanical
properties such as tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and rupture strain were tested and weight was
measured before and after exposure to three different environmental conditions, in 40 degree centigrade
for 100 % R.H. and in 20 degree centigrade for 3 % NaCl and 1N NaOH up to 6 months. Four types of
fibers were investigated, basalt roving, PEN roving, PEN sheet, and PEN FRP. Scanning electronic
microscope (SEM) images were taken at 0, 30, 90, and 180 days. From the test results, PEN fiber was
durable under water, saline, and alkaline conditions, while BF was weak under NaOH condition.
Keywords: PEN, Basalt fiber, confinement, FRP durability, bond
Batzaya BAASANKHUU
Department of Architectural Engineering
Hankyong National University