What is the latest in accepting basalt rebar?  Anyone using it to build homes?  Has cost been reduced in the last few years?

Cost has come down with the Chinese products in the market place, but it is still on the high side... We have not used basalt rebar for building construction yet, but we frequently use it for our water work projects where corrosion is a prime design consideration and where long structure life is required. For example, it works very nice for building a cylindrical fish screen by-pass tank because it easy to bend and can be placed continuously...and it can even be purchased in coils. When price comparing it to galvanized or enamel steel rebar, keep in mind that a smaller diameter can be used to achieve an equivalent strength structure. Since there isn't an issue with basalt rebar corrosion and associated concrete spalling, you also don't need as much concrete cover and can design thinner structural sections when properly engineered. You do need to make sure that the basalt rebar you use is compatible with Portland cement as not all are compatible.

Posted By Alton on 03 Jun 2013 08:37 PM
What is the latest in accepting basalt rebar?  Anyone using it to build homes?  Has cost been reduced in the last few years?

Alton,
not sure how well is would work in footings in my area, as we are reguired to bond the residential footing rebar with #4 copper wire and bronze lugs to the ground rod/electrical system and larger wire on commercial

I have received several quotes in the last 3 years. The US companies import and are costliest (most). I emailed a Chineese manufacture directly and got a reply for half, almost the same as local steel in retail quantity. 1 week later they emailed back; sorry, didn't know you are US; must go through US importer; price now double. I have had good experience with an Australian importer named Lance Brown; his quote is about 20% more than regular steel, strength for strength; then add shipping. For 12000 feet my overseas shipping quote was $500; but port of LA to N Ca was more than that. I would emphasize it seems easier to work with; smaller diameters up to 16 mm come on a large coil, cut off what length you need, bends easily. One engineer told me intersections/joining can be done with nylon zip ties; I'm sceptical about this. I guess if it's locked in place by set up concrete, but if it depends on strength of zip tie to stay together under stress, then obviously , no.