For decades, reinforced concrete columns have relied on steel as the primary reinforcement material. However, corrosion vulnerability and stiffness degradation under cyclic loading remain critical challenges — particularly in seismic and marine environments.

In our recent experimental and numerical investigation published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio), we explored whether Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) bars, combined with Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), could provide a more resilient structural solution.

 Experimental Program

Six UHPC columns were tested under reversed cyclic lateral loading with constant axial load. Two steel-reinforced specimens were used as controls, while four specimens incorporated BFRP longitudinal reinforcement and stirrups.

Key Findings

• ~25% increase in ultimate lateral load capacity

• 40–50% higher cumulative energy dissipation

• Reduced crack widths and improved stiffness retention

• More stable hysteretic response under increasing drift levels

• Strong agreement (≈85–90%) between experimental and ABAQUS nonlinear FE modeling

Despite the elastic–brittle nature of BFRP, the synergy between the dense UHPC matrix and ribbed basalt bars enhanced bond interaction, confinement effectiveness, and cyclic stability.

The BFRP–UHPC system demonstrated superior crack control and delayed stiffness degradation compared to conventional steel-reinforced columns.

Why This Matters

These findings suggest strong potential applications for:

• Seismic-resistant infrastructure

• Marine and coastal structures

• Corrosion-critical bridge piers

• Performance-based structural design frameworks

This study contributes to the ongoing discussion about integrating advanced materials into next-generation resilient infrastructure systems.

I welcome collaboration and discussion with researchers working in:

Seismic Engineering | UHPC | FRP Reinforcement | Nonlinear FE Modeling | ABAQUS