Structural behaviour of geopolymer concrete reinforced with basalt FRP bars

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Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. The production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), a traditional binder material in concrete, accounts for around 8% of global CO2 emissions. The UK government has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. In addition, corrosion of reinforcing steel is one of major problems affecting the safety and durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. According to the Department for Transport, the annual cost of repairing RC structures damaged by corrosion is estimated to be £755 million in the UK. Thus, it is urgent to develop novel sustainable and durable RC systems for infrastructures. Geopolymer concrete made of a cement-free binder (termed 'geopolymer' and made from industrial wastes) as alternative to OPC offers 60-80% reductions in CO2 emissions and better performance and durability compared to OPC concrete. Due to its good resistance to corrosion and acids, cost effectiveness, high temperature resistance, etc., basalt fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bar is rapidly emerging as a desirable substitute for steel rebar. These lead to the entirely novel idea of combing geopolymer concrete and basalt FRP bars in a composite system to improve the sustainability and durability of RC structures. This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of mechanical behaviour of this composite system using the combination of experimental and computational approaches, in order to expedite its use for structural applications, in particular for structures under extreme conditions, e.g. nuclear power plants and coastal structures. This will help significantly reduce CO2 emissions, repair and maintenance costs of RC structures.