In recent years, both industrial and academic world are focussing their attention toward the development of sustainable composites, reinforced with natural fibres. In particular, among the natural fibres (i.e. animal, vegetable or mineral) that can be used as reinforcement, the basalt ones represent the most interesting for their properties. The aim of this review is to illustrate the results of research on this topical subject. In the introduction, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of basalt fibre have been reviewed. Moreover, its main manufacturing technologies have been described. Then, the effect of using this mineral fibre as reinforcement of different matrices as polymer (both thermoplastic and thermoset), metal and concrete has been presented. Furthermore, an overview on the application of this fibre in biodegradable matrix composites and in hybrid composites has been provided. Finally, the studies on the industrial applications of basalt fibre reinforced composites have been reviewed.

A review on basalt fibre and its composites

A recent increase in the use of ecofriendly, natural fibers as reinforcement for the fabrication of lightweight, low cost polymer composites can be seen globally. One such material of interest currently being extensively used is basalt fiber, which is cost-effective and offers exceptional properties over glass fibers. The prominent advantages of these composites include high specific mechano-physico-chemical properties, biodegradability, and non-abrasive qualities to name a few. This article presents a short review on basalt fibers used as a reinforcement material for composites and discusses them as an alternative to the use of glass fibers. The paper also discusses the basics of basalt chemistry and its classification. Apart from this, an attempt to showcase the increasing trend in research publications and activity in the area of basalt fibers is also covered. Further sections discuss the improvement in mechanical, thermal and chemical resistant properties achieved for applications in specific industries.

A short review on basalt fiber reinforced polymer composites

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites in strengthening reinforced concrete structures: A critical review

State-of-the-art on strengthening of masonry structures with textile reinforced mortar (TRM)

Basalt-based fiber-reinforced materials and structural applications in civil engineering

http://www2.dec.fct.unl.pt/projectos/DUST/BD_Projectos/MAG_Silva_HBiscaia_CompStruct_2008.pdf

Degradation of bond between FRP and RC beams

Experimental and numerical modeling of basalt textile reinforced mortar behavior under uniaxial tensile stress

The paper analyses different analytical and numerical solutions for the debonding process of the FRP-to-concrete interface on shear tests with the FRP plate submitted to a tensile load in one of its ends. From the point of view of the state of the art, two different ways of finding the bond-slip curve from experiments are discussed and analysed. Essentially, three different linear bond-slip models, one exponential model and another power based function are employed in the numerical process. The results are analysed and compared. The differences found in the stress field along the interface, maximum load, maximum slip, ultimate slip, fracture energy and effective bond length are reported. The load-slip behaviour is also presented for the linear and non-linear models herein studied and the influence of the local bond-slip model on the debonding process is discussed. The numerical integration process used on the present study proved to be coherent with the analytical expressions determined for the linear bond-slip models and allowed to verify that maximum load transmittable to the FRP plate is influenced by the square root of the FRP stiffness and fracture energy even when nonlinear bond-slip models are assumed.

Linear and nonlinear analysis of bond-slip models for interfaces between FRP composites and concrete

On estimates of durability of FRP based on accelerated tests

Research on bond between composite and concrete on beams externally reinforced with fiber reinforced polymers (ERBs) has generated many publications, but uncertainties remain. The issue of the long term behavior of those joints, especially the effect that severe and prolonged environmental actions may induce, justifies the search for additional data and recommendations to avoid premature debonding and failures. The present paper devotes attention to the effects of environmental aging on the constitutive bond-slip curves. Aging was imposed on an accelerated manner and several actions used to degrade the behavior of the joints evaluated by mechanical testing. Prismatic blocks of reinforced concrete linked on the upper side by a stainless steel hinge and externally bonded by a continuous strip of carbon or glass fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP or GFRP) adherent to the soffit were made so as to fit in commercially available laboratory climatic chambers. After aging, they were tested till failure under four point loading. Aging conditions imposed on the CFRP beams were (i) cycles of high-low relative humidity, (ii) salt fog cycles, and, on the GFRP beams, (iii) salt fog cycles, (iv) dry/wet cycles (water with 5.0% weight of NaCl), (v) total immersion in salt water, and (vi) freeze/thaw cycles. The results of the experimental program enabled the proposal of bond-slip laws that take into account the aging of the beams. They also showed that salt fog cycles were more severe in the case of CFRP, while freeze/thaw cycles were more degrading on bond of GFRP-to-concrete. The salt water effects on the GFRP beams appeared to be beneficial, most likely by improving the tensile strength of concrete. Numerical modeling certified by the obtained experimental data is presented that allows more general estimates of the environmental effects.

Hugo Biscaia

Papers

Degradation of bond between FRP and RC beams

Experimental and numerical modeling of basalt textile reinforced mortar behavior under uniaxial tensile stress

Linear and nonlinear analysis of bond-slip models for interfaces between FRP composites and concrete

On estimates of durability of FRP based on accelerated tests

Bond–slip on CFRP/GFRP-to-concrete joints subjected to moisture, salt fog and temperature cycles