ADVANCED COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SEISMIC-RESILIENT CONCRETE STRUCTURES: EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

In the context of increasing seismic risks and the need for sustainable urban infrastructure, the development of reinforced concrete systems capable of withstanding dynamic loads has become a strategic priority for structural engineering. Conventional steel-reinforced concrete (RC) structures, while robust, often face performance limitations due to corrosion, plastic deformation, and fatigue accumulation over time. These issues not only reduce the service life of buildings and bridges but also increase maintenance costs and environmental impact.

This research investigates an advanced composite reinforcement system integrating hybrid materials—primarily basalt and polymer fibers combined with steel—to enhance both the ductility and the resilience of reinforced concrete structures under cyclic seismic loading. The study focuses on how hybrid composite reinforcement affects load redistribution, crack propagation, energy dissipation, and long-term durability compared to conventional RC systems.

The proposed system was experimentally evaluated through a series of laboratory tests on beam and column specimens subjected to cyclic loading patterns replicating moderate to high seismic intensities. The results were further analyzed through structural modeling and life-cycle assessments. The findings demonstrate that hybrid reinforcement systems achieve a superior balance of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance, resulting in up to 25% higher curvature capacity and 40% greater residual energy absorption compared to traditional RC specimens.

From an engineering standpoint, the hybrid composite system represents a major step toward a new generation of seismic-resilient materials, combining the reliability of steel with the durability and lightness of fiber-reinforced composites. The conclusions emphasize that adopting such systems could lead to more sustainable, longer-lasting, and safer structures in seismic-prone regions.