Use of basalt fibers in fiber-reinforced concrete

Abstract

An investigation was carried out on basalt fiber-reinforced concrete (BFRC) produced using various dosages of basalt fibers. The concrete mixture was designed with a target strength of 35 MPa (5075 psi), which is a typical strength for floor slabs and similar applications in which fiber reinforcement is often used. The concrete was tested for slump and air content in the fresh condition and for compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and toughness in the hardened condition. Using these tests, the behavior of the BFRC was investigated and compared to fiberreinforced concretes produced using similar dosages of polypropylene polyethylene synthetic fibers and crimped steel fibers. The basalt fibers were found to generally increase tensile and flexural strength (modulus of rupture), but were found to have very little effect on compressive strength and post-cracking behavior, and inspection found that the fibers had ruptured upon macrocracking.