High Speed Two (HS2) is the new high speed railway for Britain. Basalt rebar (basalt fibre reinforced polymer BFRP) has been used in the temporary guidewalls for the diaphragm wall construction.

The benefits of BFRP over steel are numerous, according to Malcolm Newton, a director of basalt rebar manufacturer Bastech:

  • It is easier to work with during construction because, compared to steel, it is 4.5 times lighter and has 2.5 times the tensile strength.
  • As an inert material, basalt is resistant to alkalis and acids, making it ideal for structures exposed to wet conditions as it does not corrode.
  • Its corrosion resistance contributes to a reduced carbon footprint for the reinforced concrete. With water ingress not an issue, basalt rebar requires 20% less concrete cover in a slab compared to steel bar.
  • Basalt rebar’s carbon footprint is significantly lower than steel. A lifecycle analysis from Kingston University has shown that it uses at least 70% less carbon during the production process than steel reinforcement and 22% less than recycled steel.

“Bastech’s structural engineers are able to provide design assisted by testing,” Newton says. “With a combination of tests and calculations carried out in our laboratories, our engineers can provide designs acceptable with the Eurocodes and more importantly provide designers with professional indemnity.

Credit: New Civil Engineer, May 9, 2023. By Rob Hakimian