To be allowed by your local building inspector department to use basalt rebar reference the various ACI codes that apply. Here is the statement that applies to Basalt rebar…
Basalt FRP Rebar is used as per ACI 440.1R-06. The construction use is dictated by code 440.6-08. It is specified by 440.5-08 and tested according to ASTM D7205 and several other test methods. ASTM testing of Basalt FRP rebar shows that Basalt FRP rebar easily meets the performance requirements of ACI 440.6-08.
Also applicable to Basalt rebar is ACI 440R-07 Report on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Reinforcement for Concrete Structures. The use of Basalt rebar came along after ACI 440.6-08 was published so the Basalt version of FRP was not specifically called out in that document. However, ACI 440R-07 (a later document) does specifically call out Basalt rebar as an FRP rebar. It says “Fibers commonly used to make FRP bars are glass, carbon, and aramid. Recently, continuous Basalt fibers have become commercially available as an alternative to glass fibers.” It talks about Basalt FRP rebar all through the document and includes it in its various tables, but the key point is that it is classed as FRP.
Basalt FRP rebar is approved as natural fiberglass, meeting the certification specifications of ACI 440.6-08 and signed off as fiberglass FRP rebar. In doing so, the job will simply be overbuilt because the physicals of Basalt rebar are higher than fiberglass, falling between fiberglass and carbon fiber.
Basalt rebar can be placed to meet code requirements by using the calculations and installation guidelines for fiberglass reinforcement of concrete as defined in ACI 440.6-08.
Recommendations for maximum deflection and shear of concrete elements reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar’s are presented in ACI 440.1R-06 (2006) “Guide for the Design and Construction of Structural Concrete Reinforced with FRP Bars”.
Basalt rebar has been tested at various universities and approved by the American Concrete Institute under ACI 440-10. Basalt rebar is used according to ACI 440. 1R-06. The construction use is dictated by code 440.6-08. It is specified by 440.5-08 and tested according to ASTM D7205 and several other testing methods.
ISO 9001: Basalt rebar has been tested by several methods and approved by ISO 9001.
In the ACI documentation, the term FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer ) includes Basalt based FRP. The term BFRP is often used instead of saying Basalt Rebar.
Existing Basalt Rebar specifications and testing requirements.
USA
ACI 440.3R-4: Guide for the test methods for fiber reinforced polymers for reinforcing or strengtheningconcrete structures. Published by the American Concrete Institute.
ACI 440.1R-06: Guide for the design and construction of concrete reinforced with FRP Bars. Publishedby the American Concrete Institute.
ASTM Standards
D570 Standard test method for water absorption of plastics
D619 Standard practice for conditioning plastics for testing
D695 Standard test method for compressive properties of rigid plastics
D790 Standard test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics
D792 Standard test methods for density and specific gravity
D2734 Void content of reinforced plastics
D3410 Standard test method for compressive properties of polymer matrix composite materials
DESIGN MANUALS
Isis Design Manual No 3: Reinforcing concrete structures with fiber reinforced polymers
COMMITTEEs
American Concrete Institute (ACI): 440 Composites for Concrete
American Concrete Institute (ACI): 400H Reinforced Concrete (rebar)
American Concrete Institute (ACI): 440I Pre-stressed concrete (tendons)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): Structural Composites and Plastics
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) : ASTM D20.18.01 FRP Materials for concrete.
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) : ASTM D20.18.02 Pultruded Profiles.
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) : ASTM D30.30.01 Composites for CivilEngineering.
AASHTO Bridge Subcommittee: T-21 FRP Composites
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