CALCULATION OF THE USE OF BASALT REINFORCEMENT IN THE BENDING ELEMENTS OF THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE IN THE “LIRA SAPHIR” PROGRAM

Аннотация

This article investigates the structural advantages and application potential of basalt reinforced concrete (BFRC) beams in modern bridge construction. As a sustainable and high-performance alternative to traditional steel reinforcement, basalt rebar offers superior tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. The paper reviews recent scientific studies highlighting improved flexural and shear behavior of BFRC beams, including increased load-bearing capacity and delayed crack initiation. A sample flexural calculation is provided to illustrate the design approach based on typical material properties. The study concludes that BFRC beams are a promising solution for enhancing the durability and sustainability of bridge infrastructure, especially in corrosive environments. Keywords: Basalt fiber; Reinforced concrete; Bridge construction; Flexural strength; Corrosion resistance; Sustainable materials; BFRP bars; Structural performance; Shear behavior; Composite materials. Corrosion is a natural phenomenon. Like other natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, or severe weather, corrosion can cause dangerous and costly damage to everything from automobiles, appliances, and drinking water systems to pipelines, bridges, and public buildings. Corrosion of steel reinforcement is one of the most common structural failures in concrete, especially in severe weather conditions where de-icing salts are required or in structures located near sea water. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a groundbreaking study titled "The Costs of Corrosion in the United States and Strategies to Prevent Them," which examines the direct costs associated with metal corrosion in nearly every sector, from infrastructure and transportation to industry and manufacturing. The study found that the total annual direct costs of corrosion in the United States are approximately $276 billion, or about 3.1% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, the indirect costs of corrosion are conservatively estimated to be equal to the direct costs, which would put the cost of corrosion at $552 billion (or 6% of GDP). In addition, one in nine bridges that motorists in the United States cross each day reported some degree of deterioration. Nationwide, about 66,405 bridges, or 11.5%, are rated “structurally deficient” https://scientific-jl.com/ 2 1 2 44-son_3-to’plam_May-2025 ISSN: 3030-3621 Ta'lim innovatsiyasi va integratsiyasi according to government standards. In Canada, the direct costs of corrosion are $23.6 billion, or 2–4% of global gross domestic product (GDP). Therefore, corrosion- resistant materials, environmentally friendly and as economically efficient as possible structures have become an urgent problem for civil engineers. The production of basalt reinforcement as a local raw material in our country also requires the formation of issues of its use in its place. That is, through the use of basalt reinforcement, it will be possible to improve the country's raw material base and achieve economic efficiency. As noted above, we need to form a regulatory framework for the widespread use of basalt reinforcement. The properties of basalt reinforcement, due to its resistance to adverse weather conditions, provide the possibility of using it as bridge structural elements that will last longer. Justification for Using Basalt Reinforcement in Bridge Structures In recent years, basalt fiber-reinforced polymers (BFRP) have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional steel reinforcement due to their superior durability, corrosion resistance, and lighter weight. Their performance in aggressive environments—such as in coastal regions or areas with high deicing salt usage—makes them especially suitable for bridge structures, where durability is a critical factor in lifecycle cost optimization. Basalt fibers are derived from natural volcanic rock and exhibit excellent mechanical properties, including a tensile strength range of 1000–1500 MPa and a relatively low density of approximately 2.65 g/cm³. Moreover, basalt does not corrode and can withstand high thermal loads, which further enhances the long-term safety and performance of reinforced concrete bridge components. Modeling and Analysis in LIRA-SAPR To evaluate the performance of basalt-reinforced concrete beams under real load conditions, structural simulations were performed using the LIRA-SAPR software— an advanced finite element modeling tool widely used for civil engineering applications. The goal was to analyze the flexural behavior and load-bearing capacity of bridge beams with basalt reinforcement and compare them to traditionally reinforced elements. https://scientific-jl.com/ 2 1 3 44-son_3-to’plam_May-2025 ISSN: 3030-3621 Ta'lim innovatsiyasi va integratsiyasi Figure 1: Comparative image of a beam obtained in the Lira SAPHIR program Model Configuration Software: LIRA-SAPR v2024 Structure Type: Simply supported reinforced concrete bridge b