Numeric Analysis of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete Pavement

Basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) has become a promising alternative to the steel counterpart for its high strength, durability, insulation, non-magnetism, and resistance to corrosion, especially in specific circumstances such as ports, mining areas, and high speed railway structures. Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) with BFRPs has been used in such circumstances for its outstanding properties. To point out the specific mechanical characteristics, a finite element model based on property tests is established by ABAQUS. Influences of crack width, BFRP modulus, reinforcement ratio as well as void under the pavement are analyzed. Results have been elicited that crack width and distance between cracks increased when using BFRP bars instead of steel bars; crack width and void beneath pavement show conspicuous influence on both mechanical state and load transfer efficiency; concrete lose the ability to transfer load when crack width surplus 1.1 mm; BFRP modulus and reinforcement ratio show little effect on neither mechanical property nor load transfer efficiency in constant state, but calculation shows their efficiency in controlling crack width. The paper provides practical guidelines for the design of CRCP reinforced by BFRP.