Seawall and Marine Construction

Florida’s saltwater environment and humid weather can corrode the steel in concrete. The state also faces frequent tropical storms, calling for resilient building materials. Steel rebar is prone to corrosion and spalling, necessitating frequent repairs in concrete seawalls and other marine applications. 

Basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar and chopped fiber offer sustainable, long-lasting solutions for marine construction. These materials won’t rust and have a longer service life than steel. At Basalt Engineering, we manufacture basalt rebar and chopped fiber in the United States for your challenging applications. 

 

 

Applications in Marine Construction

Basalt rebar and fiber provide a lightweight, durable solution for various new construction applications, like:

    • Seawall caps

    • Panels

    • Tie-backs

    • Bulkheads

    • Quay walls

    • Piers

    • Docks

    • Precast sections

    • Revetment structures

    • Dolphins

    • Boat ramps

    • Sheet-pile infill caps

You can also use this material for repair or rehabilitation projects, like replacing caps or creating shotcrete jackets for piles and wall faces. In splash and tidal zones, basalt rebar is suitable for overlays and patching. This versatile material serves new builds and retrofits.

BFRP Rebar and Basalt Chopped Fiber for Concrete Seawall Repair

Marine engineers, contractors and municipal planners experience many benefits by switching to basalt rebar for coastal infrastructure, including:

    • Zero corrosion: The material is immune to rust induced by saltwater and aluminum chloride, meaning it lasts longer. 

    • Lightweight structure: Basalt rebar is 75% lighter than steel, making it easier, safer and faster to install. 

    • Nonconductive and nonmagnetic properties: You can use this material near utilities or sensors safely. 

    • High tensile strength: Basalt rebar has a stronger tensile strength than steel by weight, making it useful for tension-critical applications.

    • Long life cycle: Unlike steel, basalt rebar can last for 100 years or more, with minimal maintenance and a lower ownership cost. 

    • Thermal compatibility: The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for basalt rebar is similar to that of concrete, reducing the risk of cracking. 

    • No Spalling: Basalt rebar does not spall, preventing any surface degradation and maintaining its structural integrity.

By switching to basalt-based reinforcement, you can complete installations faster and gain better long-term outcomes for your coastal infrastructure. 

Basalt Chopped Fibers for Marine Concrete

Basalt chopped fibers, created from molten basalt rock, act as a microreinforcement for concrete. They are especially useful in overlays, mortars and shotcrete. When you use basalt chopped fibers, you can control microcracking and increase abrasion resistance, making the concrete more resistant to sand and waves.

Depending on the application, you may need different amounts:

    • Crack and shrinkage control: 1.5–3.0 lb/yd³ (0.9–1.8 kg/m³)

    • Overlays and shotcrete: 3–6 lb/yd³ (1.8–3.6 kg/m³)

    • Repair mortars: 0.3–1.0% by binder weight

Use Corrosion-Resistant Rebar and Chopped Fibers for Seawall Construction in Florida

Basalt rebar and chopped fibers combine to create a comprehensive structural solution ideal for marine applications. The combination addresses structural and durability challenges, helping reduce maintenance and long-term costs. 

Design and Engineering (ACI 440) With Marine Construction Materials

We follow guidelines, like Standard 440 from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and other relevant basalt rebar and fiber design standards, to help you create code-compliant installations. We can provide sealed engineering calculations and help you adapt your installation processes as necessary by recommending design considerations like:

    • Longer lap splice and development lengths compared to steel

    • Crack width and deflection control for serviceability

Request a Custom Quote or Project Support

We’re your U.S.-based manufacturer for basalt rebar and chopped fiber. Our Bastech® polymer provides a lightweight, strong, environmentally sustainable marine construction material. We can manufacture the quantity you need and help with technical details. Reach out for a custom quote and tailored project support.