Characteristics of Basalt Macro-Fiber Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete

This study aims to examine the impact of using basalt macro-fibers (BMF) on characteristics of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA). Test variables included the initial concrete grade (normal- and high-strength concrete (NSC and HSC)), RCA replacement percentage (30 and 60%), and BMF volume fraction (nu(f) = 0.5 to 1.5%). The compressive strength reduction in the plain concrete caused by RCA was sensitive to the RCA replacement percentage rather than the initial concrete grade. The splitting and flexural strength reductions of the plain HSC caused by RCA were more significant than those of their NSC counterparts. The use of BMF compromised the concrete workability. Such a detrimental effect increased with the BMF content and was more pronounced for the HSC with 60% RCA. Reinforcing of RCA-based concrete with BMF tended to improve the mechanical properties. In some instances, the use of BMF at nu(f) > 1% caused a decay in the strength gain. The addition of BMF to RCA-based concrete had a potential to fully restore the original splitting and flexural strengths of plain concrete mixtures made with natural aggregates (NA). The increase in the compressive strength of the RCA-based concrete caused by BMF was, however, not sufficient to fully restore the original strength of the NA-based plain concrete. The resistances to water penetration and abrasion of the RCA-based concrete improved by up to 17% and 47%, respectively, due to the addition of BMF. Idealized tensile softening laws were established for RCA-based concrete reinforced with BMF.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of using basalt macro-fibers on the characteristics of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregates. The results show that the compressive and flexural strengths of the concrete are affected by the presence of RCA, but the use of BMF can improve the mechanical properties and potentially restore the strength of plain concrete. However, the use of BMF can also compromise the workability of the concrete.