Durability characteristics of nano-GFRP composite reinforcing bars for concrete structures in moist and alkaline environments

In this study, nano glass fibre-reinforced polymer (nano-GFRP) composite reinforcing bars (rebar) for concrete structures were fabricated, and their performance during prolonged exposure to water and alkaline solutions was evaluated. Nano-GFRP rebar was prepared using the pultrusion method by adding nanomaterials to vinyl ester resin. The nanomaterials, including silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and silicon nitride (Si3N4), were added to vinyl ester resin at 1, 3, and 5 wt.%. After exposure to water and alkaline solutions for 50 and 115 days, tensile strength tests were carried out, and the moisture diffusion coefficient was determined and compared with that of general GFRP rebar. The results indicated that the tensile residual strengths of nano-GFRP rebar and general GFRP rebar were almost the same after exposure to water, whereas the tensile residual strength of nano-GFRP rebar was higher than that of general GFRP rebar after exposure to alkaline solution. The moisture diffusion coefficient of the alumina and silicon nitride samples increased slightly after exposure to alkaline solution, but the silica sample had a higher moisture diffusion coefficient; however, the moisture diffusion coefficients of all nano-GFRP rebar samples were comparable to that of general GFRP rebar.