Basalt Fiber Implication on Fresh and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

This research examined the effect of different percentages of chopped Basalt Fibers (BFs) on the workability and mechanical properties of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). Optimum fiber dosages of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% by volume of SCC were identified. SCC properties in the early stage were evaluated through slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, and sieve segregation index tests. In addition, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength values were obtained from cured SCC specimens at 7, 28, and 56 days. The results demonstrated that fiber insertion had a negative effect on the workability of fresh SCC. Tensile and flexural strength were benefited from the BF ratio increase, which also had a positive effect on the compressive strength. Adding 0.4% BF by volume improved compressive strength by 10.13%. However, the most significant effect of the aforementioned increase was on tensile and flexural strength, since a value of 0.6% improved splitting tensile and flexural strength by 27.05% and 35.15%, respectively. BF addition resulted in a 13.4% increase in water absorption in BF0.6 specimens after 28 days. It was concluded that BFs reduce workability and improve the mechanical properties of SCC.