<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Archiving and Interchange DTD v1.4 20241031//EN" "https://jats.nlm.nih.gov/archiving/1.4/JATS-archive-oasis-article1-4-mathml3.dtd">
<article xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://jats.nlm.nih.gov/archiving/1.4/xsd/JATS-archive-oasis-article1-4-mathml3.xsd" article-type="research-article" xml:lang="en"><front><journal-meta><journal-title-group><journal-title xml:lang="en">Nanotechnologies in Construction: A Scientific Internet-Journal</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn publication-format="electronic">2075-8545</issn><publisher><publisher-name xml:lang="en">ООО &quot;Центр новых технологий &quot;НаноСтроительство&quot;</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.15828/2075-8545-2026-18-4-483-494</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="edn">PRJLOE</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading"><subject>CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SCIENCE</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="article-type"><subject>Research Article</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title xml:lang="en">Experimental studies of reinforced concrete structures in the “HPP supporting piers - powerhouse headwall” system strengthened with prestressed basalt composite reinforcement. Part I</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0630-3251</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="authorid">https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?authorid=423001</contrib-id><name><surname>Rubin</surname><given-names>Oleg D.</given-names></name><bio><p>Dr. Sci. (Technics), Full Professor; Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic Engineering</p></bio><email>rubinod@niies.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8310-9604</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="authorid">https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?authorid=238171</contrib-id><name><surname>Antonov</surname><given-names>Anton S.</given-names></name><bio><p>Cand. Sci. (Technics), Associate Professor; Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic Engineering</p></bio><email>antonov.an.s@yandex.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4090-4353</contrib-id><name><surname>Almasri</surname><given-names>Amer</given-names></name><bio><p>Postgraduate Student, Department of Hydraulics and Hydraulic Engineering</p></bio><email>ameralmasri3522@gmail.com</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><city>Moscow</city><country>Russian Federation</country><institution>National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering</institution></aff><pub-date date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2026-08-22"><day>22</day><month>08</month><year>2026</year></pub-date><volume>18</volume><issue>4</issue><fpage>483</fpage><lpage>494</lpage><history><date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="2026-04-30"><day>30</day><month>04</month><year>2026</year></date><date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="2026-08-13"><day>13</day><month>08</month><year>2026</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>© 2026 Oleg D. Rubin, Anton S. Antonov, Amer Almasri</copyright-statement><copyright-year>2026</copyright-year><copyright-holder>Oleg D. Rubin, Anton S. Antonov, Amer Almasri</copyright-holder><license license-type="open-access" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><license-p>This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)</ext-link> License.</license-p></license></permissions><self-uri xlink:href="https://nanobuild.ru/en_EN/journal/Nanobuild-4-2026/483-494.pdf" xlink:title="URL">https://nanobuild.ru/en_EN/journal/Nanobuild-4-2026/483-494.pdf</self-uri><abstract><p>Introduction. With long-term operation of head run-of-river powerhouses of hydroelectric power plants (HPP), technical changes occur that lead to a decrease in operational properties in reinforced concrete structures. To substantiate a new nanotechnology for strengthening long-term operated hydraulic structures based on the use of prestressed reinforcement from nanomaterials (BFRP), a set of experimental studies with elements of computational studies was carried out, taking into account the characteristic features of reinforced concrete structures of HPPs. Methods and materials. Experimental studies were carried out on the basis of reinforced concrete models of hydraulic structures &quot;HPP supporting piers - powerhouse headwall&quot; (scale M 1:25), which were manufactured and tested for static impact; after which they were strengthened with external reinforcement made of prestressed BFRP nanomaterial, with rebars installed in two directions: along and across the flow. A 3D finite element model of a run-of-river HPP powerhouse was developed to analyze its stress-strain state (SSS), taking into account seismic actions of more than 8 points (MSK scale) within the framework of the dynamical theory. Results. As a result of experimental studies of reinforced concrete models of hydraulic structures &quot;hydroelectric power plant piers - headwall of the HPP powerhouse&quot;, the nature of crack formation, the width of crack opening and inter-block construction joints were determined, which were recorded in magnitude higher in non-strengthened reinforced concrete experimental models than in models strengthened with prestressed basalt composite reinforcement. In experimental reinforced concrete models under the acting loads, tensile stresses in the steel reinforcement in the area of the interface of the piers and the headwall were determined, which almost reached the value corresponding to the yield strength. In the article, calculations of the run-of-river HPP powerhouse were performed using the dynamic theory of calculation under the action of seismic loads of more than 8 points (MSK scale). At the same time, deformations of the structure and stresses in its elements in different periods of time (in seconds) were obtained, counting from the beginning of the seismic action. Discussion. It was obtained that the new technology of strengthening using reinforcement made of BFRP nanomaterial across and along the river flow leads to a decrease in tensile stresses in steel horizontal reinforcement across the flow in the headwall and in piers by more than 1.5 times with redistribution to basalt composite reinforcement. In case of seismic actions, the operation of the above structures will be more complex and the parameters of this work must be determined by calculations, taking into account all factors that will allow to study and ensure longterm safe operation of HPP structures. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop a 3D mathematical model of experimental reinforced concrete structures and verify it using a set of experimental data obtained. Further, the verified mathematical model can be used to calculate the SSS of the HPP powerhouse under the action of a set of loads and influences: static, hydraulic, temperature, seismic. Conclusion. On the basis of a set of experimental and computational studies of experimental reinforced concrete models &quot;HPP supporting piers - powerhouse headwall&quot;, strengthened with prestressed basalt composite reinforcement, nanotechnology for strengthening reinforced concrete structures of long-term operated hydraulic structures based on the use of prestressed reinforcement from nanomaterials (BFRP) was substantiated, including the load-bearing capacity, displacement, width of opening of inter-block construction joints and cracks, deformations of steel and basalt composite reinforcement depending on the method of strengthening of reinforced concrete structures by external reinforcement.</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>hydraulic structures</kwd><kwd>HPP supporting piers</kwd><kwd>HPP powerhouse headwall</kwd><kwd>inter-block construction joints</kwd><kwd>nanotechnology of reinforcement</kwd><kwd>prestress</kwd><kwd>basalt composite nanomaterial</kwd><kwd>width of opening of inter-block joints and cracks</kwd><kwd>displacements</kwd></kwd-group><funding-group><funding-statement>The Study was carried out from the personal funds of the authors with the scientific and technical support of the branch of JSC &quot;Institute of Hydroproject&quot; – NIIES.</funding-statement></funding-group></article-meta></front><back><ref-list><ref id="ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation>1. Arshenevsky N.N., Gubin M.F., Mityurev E.L., Mikhailov I.E., Orlov V.A., Popov A.I. Hydroelectric Power Plants. M.: Energoatomizdat; 1987. – EDN: SNSPBJ (in Russian).</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation>2. Raja А.К., Srivastava A.P., Dwivedi M. Power Plant Engineering. New Delhi: New Age International. 2006;354. ISBN 81 224-1831-7. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/attachments/63581667/download_file (access date 05.04.2026)</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref3"><label>3</label><mixed-citation>3. Lenkov A.Yu., Fisenko V.F. Experience gained from operation of the hydraulic structures of the Votkinsk hydroelectric power plant. Power Technology and Engineering. 2017;51(1):33-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10749-017-0779-y – EDN: XNDQPU.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref4"><label>4</label><mixed-citation>4. Vasilevskaya L. S., Anufrenkova, P. S., Gracheva D. A. Evaluation of Concrete Structure Condition of the Volzhskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant. Power Technology and Engineering. 2018;52(2):181-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10749-018-0929-x – EDN: YBPZOH.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref5"><label>5</label><mixed-citation>5. Rodrigues R. V. Structural Design of a Surface Hydropower Plant. Technical University of Lisbon. 2014;1-9. Available from: https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/downloadFile/563345090413168/resumo.pdf (access date 05.04.2026)</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref6"><label>6</label><mixed-citation>6. Rubin O.D., Lisichkin, S.E., Baklykov I.V., Almasri A. Objectives of the Computational Studies of the Long-term Opera tional Run-of-River Buildings of Tishrin and Baath HPPs Located in Seismic Areas of Syria. VI International Scientific Conference Construction Mechanics, Hydraulics &amp; Water Resources Engineering (CONMECHYDRO 2024). Karshi; Uzbekistan. https://doi. org/10.1063/5.0279432</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref7"><label>7</label><mixed-citation>7. SNiP A-II. 12-62 Construction in seismic areas. Design norms. Moscow. 1963; 54 (in Russian).</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref8"><label>8</label><mixed-citation>8. SNiP 11-7-81* Construction in seismic areas. Design norms. Moscow. 2006; 44 (in Russian).</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref9"><label>9</label><mixed-citation>9. SP 14.13330.2018 Construction in seismic areas. Updated edition of SNiP 11-7-81*. Moscow. 2018; 115 (in Russian).</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref10"><label>10</label><mixed-citation>10. Zaki M., Tobaa A., Shehata A. Potential advantages of basalt FRP bars compared to carbon FRP bars &amp; conventional steel. Australian Journal of Civil Engineering. 2020;19(1):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14488353.2020.1816638 – EDN: NENRWF.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref11"><label>11</label><mixed-citation>11. Subramanian N. Sustainability of RCC Structures using Basalt Composite Rebars. The Master builder. 2010;(9):156-164. Sustainability of RCC using Basalt composite Rebars Master Builder Sept2010</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref12"><label>12</label><mixed-citation>12. Mohamed-Akram Khanfour, Ahmed El Refai. Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on concrete reinforced with basalt fiber-reinforced polymers (BFRP) bars. Construction and Building Materials. 2017;145:135-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.237</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref13"><label>13</label><mixed-citation>13. Elamathi E., Priyanka R., Sangeetha V. Flexural Study on Basalt Rebar Reinforced Concrete Beams. Journal of Engineering. 2018; 8(1):01-05. 1, 01-05.pdf</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref14"><label>14</label><mixed-citation>14. Fareed Elgabbas; Ehab A. Ahmed, M.ASCE; Brahim Benmokrane. Flexural Behavior of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Ribbed Basalt-FRP Bars under Static Loads. Journal of Composites for Construction. 2016;21(3). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE) CC.1943-5614.0000752</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref15"><label>15</label><mixed-citation>15. Thilan Ovitigala, Mustapha A. Ibrahim, Mohsen A. Issa. Serviceability and Ultimate Load Behavior of Concrete Beams Re inforced with Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars. ACI Structural Journal. 2016;113(4):757-768. https://doi.org/10.14359/51688752</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref16"><label>16</label><mixed-citation>16. Pavlovic A., Donchev T. Pretensioned BFRP reinforced concrete beams: Flexural behaviour and estimation of initial pre stress losses. MATEC Web of Conferences. 2019;289. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201928909001</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref17"><label>17</label><mixed-citation>17. Sokairge H., Elgabbas F., Elshafie H. Structural behavior of RC beams strengthened with prestressed near surface mounted technique using basalt FRP bars. Engineering Structures. 2022;250(9):113489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113489 – EDN: VQHDNK</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref18"><label>18</label><mixed-citation>18. Thorhallsson E., Zhelyazov T., Gunnarsson A., Snaebjornsson J.T. Concrete beams reinforced with prestressed basalt bars. Concrete – Innovation and Design, fib Symposium. Copenhagen; 2015. (PDF) CONCRETE BEAMS REINFORCED WITH PRESTRESSED BASALT BARS</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref19"><label>19</label><mixed-citation>19. A. Gunnarsson, E. R. Thorhallson, J. Th. Snaebjornsson. Simulation of Experimental Research of Concrete Beams Pre stressed with BFRP Tendons. Nordic Concrete Research Symposium. Reykjavik, Iceland. 2014. (PDF) SIMULATION OF EXPERI MENTAL RESEARCH OF CONCRETE BEAMS PRESTRESSED WITH BFRP TENDONS E.Thorhallsson, S. H. Gudmundsson. Test of prestressed basalt FRP concrete beams with and without external stirrups. Proceedings of Fib symposium Engineering a Concrete future: Technology, modelling &amp; Construction. At: Tel Aviv. Israel; 2013. (PDF) Test of prestressed basalt FRP concrete beams with and without external stirrups</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref20"><label>20</label><mixed-citation>20. Bellendir E.N., Rubin O.D., Lisichkin, S.E., Zyuzina, O.V. Experimental Study into Prestress Losses of Basalt Composite Reinforcement Used in the Composition of Concrete Elements. Power Technology and Engineering. 2021;54(5):605–608. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s10749-020-01259-y – EDN: VLSBAJ.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref21"><label>21</label><mixed-citation>21. Pearson M., Donchev T., Salazar J. Long-Term Behaviour of Prestressed Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Bars. The 2nd In ternational Conference on Rehabilitation and Maintenance in Civil Engineering. Procedia Engineering. 2013;54:261–269. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.03.024</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref22"><label>22</label><mixed-citation>22. Rubin O.D., Lisichkin S.E., Zyuzina O.V. Strength of low-reinforced concrete structures with the inter-block construction joints reinforced by prestressed basalt-composite bars. Prirodoobustrojstvo. 2021;V(1):53–62. https://doi.org/10.26897/1997-6011 2021-1-53-62 – EDN: ZHAYMH. (in Russian)</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="ref23"><label>23</label><mixed-citation>23. 24. SP 295.1325800.2017. Concrete structures reinforced with polymer composite reinforcement. Design rules. M: Standardinform. 2017; 55. (in Russian)</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>