Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement

Daan Coppus; Rob Vergoossen; Eva Lantsoght

doi:10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989

Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement

Daan Coppus^*
, Rob Vergoossen
, Eva Lantsoght

^*Corresponding author for this work

Royal HaskoningDHV
Haskoning
Delft University of Technology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Concrete structures contribute significantly to global CO₂ emissions, motivating sustainable reinforcement alternatives. Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) rebars offer a 43% lower Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) than steel and are corrosion-resistant, allowing reduced concrete cover. This study assesses the feasibility of BFRP rebars in a concrete deck slab on inverted T-girders. Due to their lower elastic modulus, BFRP rebar usage in concrete structures cause larger deformations and crack widths, reducing shear capacity through diminished compression zone, aggregate interlock, and dowel action. Numerical modelling showed shear-governed behaviour and reduced load distribution. An optimized slab with reduced thickness met structural requirements and achieved ECI reductions of 27%–32%, confirming enhanced sustainability.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026
Subtitle of host publication	Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation
Publisher	International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)
Pages	989-997
Number of pages	9
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331335489
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989
State	Published - 2026
Event	IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation - Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 21 Apr 2026 → 24 Apr 2026

Publication series

Name	IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation
Volume	2

Conference

Conference	IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation
Country/Territory	Denmark
City	Copenhagen
Period	21/04/26 → 24/04/26

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer
BFRP
Environmental Cost Indicator
FEA
Orthotropic Plate

Access to Document

10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989

Cite this

Coppus, D., Vergoossen, R., & Lantsoght, E. (2026). Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement. In IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation (pp. 989-997). (IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation; Vol. 2). International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). https://doi.org/10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989

Coppus, Daan ; Vergoossen, Rob ; Lantsoght, Eva. / Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement. IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation. International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2026. pp. 989-997 (IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation).

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title = "Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement",

abstract = "Concrete structures contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, motivating sustainable reinforcement alternatives. Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) rebars offer a 43\% lower Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) than steel and are corrosion-resistant, allowing reduced concrete cover. This study assesses the feasibility of BFRP rebars in a concrete deck slab on inverted T-girders. Due to their lower elastic modulus, BFRP rebar usage in concrete structures cause larger deformations and crack widths, reducing shear capacity through diminished compression zone, aggregate interlock, and dowel action. Numerical modelling showed shear-governed behaviour and reduced load distribution. An optimized slab with reduced thickness met structural requirements and achieved ECI reductions of 27\%–32\%, confirming enhanced sustainability.",

keywords = "Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer, BFRP, Environmental Cost Indicator, FEA, Orthotropic Plate",

author = "Daan Coppus and Rob Vergoossen and Eva Lantsoght",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} (2026) by International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) All rights reserved.; IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation ; Conference date: 21-04-2026 Through 24-04-2026",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989",

language = "Ingl{\'e}s",

series = "IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation",

publisher = "International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)",

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Coppus, D, Vergoossen, R & Lantsoght, E 2026, Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement. in IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation. IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation, vol. 2, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), pp. 989-997, IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation, Copenhagen, Denmark, 21/04/26. https://doi.org/10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989

Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement. / Coppus, Daan; Vergoossen, Rob; Lantsoght, Eva.
IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation. International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2026. p. 989-997 (IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement

AU - Coppus, Daan

AU - Vergoossen, Rob

AU - Lantsoght, Eva

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - Concrete structures contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, motivating sustainable reinforcement alternatives. Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) rebars offer a 43% lower Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) than steel and are corrosion-resistant, allowing reduced concrete cover. This study assesses the feasibility of BFRP rebars in a concrete deck slab on inverted T-girders. Due to their lower elastic modulus, BFRP rebar usage in concrete structures cause larger deformations and crack widths, reducing shear capacity through diminished compression zone, aggregate interlock, and dowel action. Numerical modelling showed shear-governed behaviour and reduced load distribution. An optimized slab with reduced thickness met structural requirements and achieved ECI reductions of 27%–32%, confirming enhanced sustainability.

AB - Concrete structures contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, motivating sustainable reinforcement alternatives. Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) rebars offer a 43% lower Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) than steel and are corrosion-resistant, allowing reduced concrete cover. This study assesses the feasibility of BFRP rebars in a concrete deck slab on inverted T-girders. Due to their lower elastic modulus, BFRP rebar usage in concrete structures cause larger deformations and crack widths, reducing shear capacity through diminished compression zone, aggregate interlock, and dowel action. Numerical modelling showed shear-governed behaviour and reduced load distribution. An optimized slab with reduced thickness met structural requirements and achieved ECI reductions of 27%–32%, confirming enhanced sustainability.

KW - Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer

KW - BFRP

KW - Environmental Cost Indicator

KW - FEA

KW - Orthotropic Plate

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M3 - Contribución a la conferencia

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T3 - IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation

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BT - IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026

PB - International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)

T2 - IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation

Y2 - 21 April 2026 through 24 April 2026

ER -

Coppus D, Vergoossen R, Lantsoght E. Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement. In IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation. International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). 2026. p. 989-997. (IABSE Symposium Copenhagen 2026: Bridging Advanced Technologies - Structural Innovation). doi: 10.2749/copenhagen.2026.0989

Designing a Sustainable Concrete Bridge Deck by Using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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