Bio-inspired self-prestressing concrete (SPC) involving basalt fibers and expansive agent

Abstract

Inspired by muscle structure, the synergy between basalt fibers (BF) and expansive agent (EA) was revealed and utilized for the development of self-prestressing concrete (SPC). When BF and EA were used together, the restraining action of BF against the autogenous expansion of concrete yielded active confining stress, during which fibers were prestressed, producing SPC. The properties of SPC were investigated by varying BF (0–0.6%) and EA (0–3%) contents. The addition of EA and/or BF decreased workability but improved mechanical performance. The strength-workability envelopes revealed the superiority of the combined use of EA and BF, whose synergistic effect was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Possible mechanisms behind their contribution to sample performance were discussed considering passive and active confinements. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed improvement in the fiber-matrix interface with an increase in the amount of EA. This bio-inspired work shall be beneficial to the development of SPC with improved performance.