Flexural behavior of three-dimensional basalt fiber network reinforced concrete slabs: Experimental and numerical simulation study

Three-dimensional basalt fiber network reinforced concrete (3DBFRC) is a novel high-performance cementitious material. However, systematic research oriented toward design methods and engineering applications is lacking, which has greatly restricted 3DBFRC’s popularization in the construction field. This paper conducted four-point bending tests and numerical simulations on three-dimensional basalt fiber network reinforced concrete one-way slabs (3DBFRC slabs), summarized the factors influencing the flexural behavior of the slabs, and established a predictive formula for the flexural strength. The results indicated that the failure mode of chopped basalt fiber reinforced concrete (CBFRC) slabs was brittle single-fracture failure, whereas 3DBFRC slabs exhibited ductile multi-fracture flexural failure of normal section or shear failure of oblique section. For CBFRC slabs, weft-oriented and warp-oriented reinforcements of 3DBFRC slabs, the modulus of rupture was 1.5–2.5 times, 1.8–4.9 times and 4.0–7.8 times higher than those of plain concrete slabs, respectively. Warp-oriented reinforcements of 3DBFRC slabs exhibited approximately twice the reinforcing capacity of weft-oriented reinforcements. Increasing the concrete strength grade and the fiber cross-sectional fraction effectively enhanced the modulus of rupture of 3DBFRC slabs. Enlarging the cross-sectional area of a single warp yarn was the optimal method for increasing the fiber cross-sectional fraction. Based on experimental and numerical simulation results, a predictive formula for the modulus of rupture of 3DBFRC slabs was established to address issues related to strength verification and material selection.