Mechanical Performance of Reinforced Concrete with Different Proportions and lengths of Basalt Fibres

Elshafie S,Boulbibane M,Whittleston G

doi:10.4172/2169-0022.1000271

Abstract

This paper discusses the effect of the fraction (0.2-0.3% by volume) and length (22 mm and 24 mm) of basalt fibre on the mechanical properties of concrete. The paper aims to evaluate the effect of different combinations of basalt fibres on the mechanical properties of concrete, as well as identify the best basalt fibre length and content that have the optimum influence on concrete. This paper is considered to be distinct from other research work as it fills the literature gap by presenting new unknown facts and also adds new knowledge. For example, it identifies the best basalt fibre length and content combination that demonstrates an improvement in the mechanical properties of concrete. It suggests the use of a blend of 12 mm short and 24 mm long fibres as they have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of concrete, it validates the results obtained from the laboratory by using a statistical analysis of variance ANOVA software, as well as determine the correlation between the mechanical properties of concrete. The results showed that the optimum basalt fibre length and content that enhanced the mechanical properties of concrete is 24 mm long fibre with content of 0.2% by the total volume of concrete. It also show that changing basalt fibre length and content enhance not only both tensile and flexural strengths of concrete, but also reduce its compressive strength, workability and air content of concrete, as well as maintain the unit weight and modulus of elasticity values. In this context, the incorporation of basalt fibres within the mixture becomes an important parameter for strengthening concrete in the construction industry.

Highlights

During the process of selecting an appropriate material for construction industry, the mechanical properties of material are considered to play a major role in this selection, which depends strongly upon understanding the material microstructure and components
One way of improving the mechanical properties of concrete is by adding fibres to the concrete mixture, and determining their influence on the mechanical properties of concrete, such as: compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus and workability
Workability: From the results presented at Figure 16, the target slump values for all basalt fibre mixtures ranged from 85 mm to 70 mm

Summary

Introduction

During the process of selecting an appropriate material for construction industry, the mechanical properties of material are considered to play a major role in this selection, which depends strongly upon understanding the material microstructure and components. In this context, it’s important for engineers to possess a deep understanding of how the microstructure is formed, and how the addition of new materials can influence the engineering properties Adam Warren [1]. Addition of basalt fibres will have significant effect on the mechanical properties of concrete, as they are capable of resisting the high alkalinity environment of concrete, can bond chemically with cement, are a noncorrosive material, have high thermal resistance to heat, and have a high tensile strength. Basalt fibres are considered to be a promising material to improve the concrete strength

Methods

Results

Conclusion