Flexural Behavior and Prediction Model of Basalt Fiber/Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

The flexural behavior of basalt fiber (BF)/polypropylene fiber (PF)-reinforced concrete (BPRC) was investigated. When the content of BF and PF is 0.1%, the addition of fibers increases the compressive strength of concrete. A BF content of 0.1% has the most obvious effect on improving the compressive strength, but a hybrid fiber content of 0.2% exhibits a negative effect on the compressive strength. The addition of BF and PF can increase the flexural strength and the expansion tortuosity of the fracture cracks, thus enhancing the ductility of concrete. The hybrid fibers with content of 0.1% are most beneficial to increase the flexural strength. However, the ductility of concrete and the tortuosity of fracture crack decrease with the matrix strength, and the improvement proportion of fibers on the flexural strength also decreases. When the BF and PF are mixed, compared to the case of single fiber added, there is no significant change in the damage of BF, whereas the damage of PF is more severe. The flexural toughness index FTδ effectively characterizes the change in the flexural toughness of BPRC. The hybrid fiber contents of 0.1% and 0.2% exhibit the most significant improving effect on FT-l/600 and FT-l/150, respectively. Considering the influence of fibers on the compressive strength, flexural strength and flexural toughness of concrete, a hybrid content of 0.1% is the optimal choice of fiber content. A prediction model for flexural strength of BPRC is proposed based on the composite material theory.