Comparative Study on Blast Resistance of GFRC and BFRC Beams

Glass and basalt fibers have been extensively utilized in civil engineering applications, and their inclusion can enhance the mechanical properties of concrete materials. Empirical studies indicate that integrating fibers into reinforced concrete(RC) components augments their blast resistance. Specifically, at a volume incorporation rate of 0.2%, the efficacy of these fibers in enhancing the anti-explosion performance of concrete is notably pronounced. This investigation involves the design of standard concrete test blocks with a strength grade of C40, alongside glass fiber reinforced concrete(GFRC) and basalt fiber reinforced concrete(BFRC) test blocks, each with a volume incorporation rate of 0.2%. These specimens undergo compressive and split tensile strength tests to evaluate the influence of the respective fibers on concrete′s mechanical properties. The results demonstrate an improvement in the mechanical characteristics of both fiber-reinforced concretes. To assess the blast resistance of GFRC and BFRC beams, three types of beams-ordinary reinforced concrete(RC), GFRC, and BFRC-were constructed. Each beam was subjected to four explosive loads to observe the dynamic response and surface damage. The findings reveal that fiber reinforcement enhances concrete toughness and significantly mitigates the dynamic response of the beams under explosive loading conditions. Specifically, GFRC beams with a 0.2% volume fiber content exhibited lower peak accelerations and strains compared to BFRC beams, and the GFRC beams′ surfaces showed reduced spalling and crack formation relative to BFRC beams.