Experimental Investigation on the Fracture Behavior of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Shotcrete

Abstract

Basalt fiber-reinforced concrete is increasingly being used in shotcrete support systems for rock mass excavation engineering due to its superior mechanical properties and durability. Rapid freeze–thaw cycling tests were performed to simulate freeze–thaw conditions in order to meticulously investigate the dynamic and static fracture behaviors of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete in freeze–thaw environments. Then, utilizing a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system and rock testing equipment, dynamic and static fracture tests were performed on developed Mode I, mixed-mode I/II, and Mode II platform Brazilian disk specimens. Under freeze–thaw conditions, the dynamic and static fracture propagation velocities of specimens with diverse crack propagation modes were determined. Based on this, LS-DYNA numerical simulations were used to perform inverse evaluations of crack propagation processes in specimens with varied fracture modes and Mode I fracture specimens with variable basalt fiber contents. We were able to calculate the effective stress field distributions during crack propagation with dynamic loading. The data indicate that different fracture modes present significantly distinct crack propagation issues. Pure Mode I fracture specimens exhibit the most straightforward crack propagation, with a maximum effective stress of roughly 25 MPa after crack penetration. With a maximum effective stress of around 31 MPa following crack penetration, the mixed-mode I/II fracture specimens exhibit considerable propagation difficulties. Mode II fracture specimens are the hardest to propagate after crack penetration because of their maximum effective stress of 64 MPa. Additionally, the optimal basalt fiber content was determined to be in the range of 0.35% to 0.45%, at which the concrete exhibited the best fracture toughness and freeze–thaw resistance. Furthermore, the evolution characteristics of the displacement of the crack tip opening under different fracture modes are revealed. A theoretical basis for stability analysis and design of excavation engineering structures under dynamic stress and associated freeze–thaw conditions is provided by the study’s findings.