The document presents results from an experimental study on the strength and self-compacting concrete (SCC) characteristics of basalt fiber reinforced concrete. Fresh concrete tests were conducted to determine slump flow, V-funnel, U-box, and L-box values for mixes with 0-2% basalt fiber content. Compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength tests on cubes and cylinders showed increases in strength with fiber addition. The 28-day compressive strength ranged from 25-32 MPa. Addition of up to 2% basalt fiber increased 7-day compressive strength by 13-69% and 28-day splitting tensile strength by 5-50% compared to a reference mix. The

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2017, pp. 704–711 Article ID: IJCIET_08_01_082
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON STRENGTH AND
SCC CHARACTERISTICS OF BASALT FIBER
REINFORCED CONCRETE
S. Paulraj
Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering,
Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
Dr. N. Balasundaram
Supervisor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
K. Sates Kumar
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Tirupur, Tamilnadu, India
M. Dharshna Devi
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Tirupur, Tamilnadu, India
ABSTRACT
Concrete is second most widely used material other than water, its more versatile but
modern day engineering structures require more demanding concrete owing to the huge
applied load on smaller area and increasing adverse environmental conditions. Many
materials were studied as impregnation agents to concrete to enhance its quality, strength and
durability, in this work we had tried to utilize Basalt fiber as a strength enhancement agent in
Self compacting concrete to obtain higher strength values in tandem with good workability.
Promising results were obtained in the self compacting nature by using simple admixtures such
as VBA, workability agents etc. Rheological properties obtained suggested that the concrete is
not only highly workable but also possess high durability and versatility. The SCC slump value
varied from 620 to 760 mm with good compressive strength in the range of 25-32 N/mm2
.
Keywords: SCC, Basalt fiber, durability characteristics
Cite this Article: S. Paulraj, Dr. N. Balasundaram, K. Sates Kumar and M. Dharshna Devi.
Experimental Studies on Strength and SCC Characteristics of Basalt Fiber Reinforced
Concrete. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(1), 2017, pp. 704–711.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1

2. Experimental Studies on Strength and SCC Characteristics of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete
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1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is composed of a coarse aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement which hardens over
time. Most concretes used are lime-based concretes such as Portland cement concrete or concretes
made of other hydraulic cements, such as cimentfondu. Asphalt concrete which is very frequently used
for road surfaces is also a type of concrete, where the cement material is bitumen, and polymer
concretes are sometimes used where the cementing material is a polymer. The combination of
excellent compressive strength, durability and readily availability and affordable subcomponents has
made concrete a highly demanded construction material and the backbone of our society’s
infrastructure. Concrete is the essential foundation and building block for strong, reliable and durable
infrastructure.
In addition to the competitiveness of concrete and minimizing construction costs, another motive
for the need of SCC and FRC is the better performance and quality achieved in the concrete by the use
of these materials. As an example, fibers in combination with self-compacting concrete have shown to
achieve much higher load bearing capacity than corresponding construction elements in conventional
vibrated concrete. Fibers are added to enhance the ductility, increase the tensile and flexural strength
of the material and to decrease crack widths and retard their propagation. Comprehensive research
over the years on fibers has shown that fiber reinforcement has actually sufficient strength and
ductility to be used as a complete replacement to conventional reinforcement in some types of
concrete structures, such as foundations, walls and slabs on grades. In beams and suspended slabs,
fibers are used in combination with conventional reinforcement which increases both the load bearing
capacity and the stiffness of the structure. In both the cases, from a structural viewpoint, fibers are
incorporated to improve the fracture characteristics and structural behavior through the fibers’ ability
to bridge cracks.
Fibers are usually used in concrete to control cracking due to plastic shrinkage and to drying
shrinkage. They also reduce the permeability of concrete and thus reduce bleeding of water. Some
types of fibers produce greater impact, abrasion, and shatter resistance in concrete. Generally fibers do
not increase the flexural strength of concrete, and so cannot replace moment–resisting or structural
steel reinforcement. Indeed, some fibers actually reduce the strength of concrete.
The amount of fibers added to a concrete mix is expressed as a percentage of the total volume of
the composite (concrete and fibers), termed "volume fraction" (Vf). Vf typically ranges from 0.1 to
3%. The aspect ratio (l/d) is calculated by dividing fiber length (l) by its diameter (d). Fibers with a
non-circular cross section use an equivalent diameter for the calculation of aspect ratio. If the fiber's
modulus of elasticity is higher than the matrix (concrete or mortar binder), they help to carry the load
by increasing the tensile strength of the material. Increasing the aspect ratio of the fiber usually
segments the flexural strength and toughness of the matrix. However, fibers that are too long tend to
"ball" in the mix and create workability problems. Blends of both steel and polymeric fibers are often
used in construction projects in order to combine the benefits of both products; structural
improvements provided by steel fibers and the resistance to explosive spalling and plastic shrinkage
improvements provided by polymeric fibers.
In certain specific circumstances, steel fiber or macro synthetic fibers can entirely replace
traditional steel reinforcement bar ("rebar") in reinforced concrete. This is most common in industrial
flooring but also in some other precasting applications. Typically, these are corroborated with
laboratory testing to confirm that performance requirements are met. Care should be taken to ensure
that local design code requirements are also met, which may impose minimum quantities of steel
reinforcement within the concrete. There are increasing numbers of tunnelling projects using precast
lining segments reinforced only with steel fibers.

3. S. Paulraj, Dr. N. Balasundaram, K. Sates Kumar and M. Dharshna Devi
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2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH
In this research basalt fiber is used to add to concrete and increase the strength of concrete structures.
Most of the basalt fiber is used in machinery parts and how much of strength can be gained from
addition of basalt fiber in concrete it’s the main scope of in this thesis. Even though extensive work is
reported on SSC not much work is reported on the behavior of SSC with GGBS and basalt fiber.
Keeping this in view, the present experimental taken up to study the behavior of self-compacting
concrete using basalt fiber in different ratio of 0.6% to 2.0%. The main aim is to obtain specific
experimental data, to understand fresh and hardened properties of the self-compacting concrete with
GGBS and basalt fiber. Broadly the main aims of the present investigation are.
• To study the behavior of SCC
• To study the behavior of SCC with GGBS and basalt fiber
• To study the fresh concrete properties
• To study the hardened concrete properties
3. METHODOLOGY
Flow Chart

4. Experimental Studies on Strength and SCC Characteristics of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete
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4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Fresh Concrete Test
Table 1 Fresh Concrete Test Result
Table 2 Compressive Strength for Cube
Figure 1 Mat lab for compression test
MIX Slump flow (mm) V- funnel U – box (h2-h1) L – box (h2-h1)
Ref mix 760 6.4 18 0.44
Mix 1 710 6.7 21 0.46
Mix 2 690 7.0 23 0.42
Mix 3 690 7.2 22 0.52
Mix 4 670 8.6 20 0.56
Mix 5 670 9.5 22 0.66
Mix 6 640 9.8 20 0.74
Mix 7 640 10 22 0.83
Mix 8 620 12 24 0.93
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 17.22 21.93 32.66
Mix 1 17.98 22.18 33.55
Mix 2 18.25 22.55 34.12
Mix 3 18.45 22.14 34.85
Mix 4 18.72 23.65 35.16
Mix 5 19.26 24.03 35.96
Mix 6 19.55 24.86 36.32
Mix 7 20.05 25.11 36.98
Mix 8 20.35 25.58 37.23

5. S. Paulraj, Dr. N. Balasundaram, K. Sates Kumar and M. Dharshna Devi
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Table 3 First crack compressive strength for cube
Table 4 Split-tensile strength
Figure 2 Mat lab for split tensile strength
Table 5 First crack for split-tensile strength
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.Mix 0.98 1.15 1.3
Mix 1 1.03 1.45 1.89
Mix 2 1.2 1.67 1.96
Mix 3 1.48 1.84 2.12
Mix 4 1.62 2.02 2.36
Mix 5 1.82 2.28 2.58
Mix 6 2.03 2.46 2.75
Mix 7 2.25 2.67 2.98
Mix 8 2.49 2.82 3.16
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 12.53 16.95 26.42
Mix 1 12.98 17.25 26.95
Mix 2 13.22 17.84 27.16
Mix 3 13.84 18.14 27.86
Mix 4 14.05 18.83 28.62
Mix 5 14.67 19.02 28.98
Mix 6 14.99 19.72 29.41
Mix 7 15.31 20.12 29.87
Mix 8 15.95 20.81 30.19
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 2.67 2.85 3.10
Mix 1 2.93 3.45 3.89
Mix 2 3.20 3.67 3.96
Mix 3 3.48 3.84 4.12
Mix 4 3.62 4.02 4.36
Mix 5 3.82 4.28 4.58
Mix 6 4.03 4.46 4.75
Mix 7 4.25 4.67 4.98
Mix 8 4.49 4.82 5.16

6. Experimental Studies on Strength and SCC Characteristics of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete
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Table 6 First crack for flexural strength (single point)
Table 7 First crack for Flexural strength (single point)
Table 8 Flexural strength (double point)
Table 9 First crack for Flexural strength (double point)
Mix 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 1.02 3.18 5.24
Mix 1 1.85 3.64 5.64
Mix 2 2.02 4.13 6.05
Mix 3 2.36 4.84 6.54
Mix 4 2.54 5.02 7.05
Mix 5 2.89 5.24 7.51
Mix 6 3.02 5.81 7.98
Mix 7 3.34 6.05 8.36
Mix 8 3.56 6.37 8.86
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 3.02 5.18 7.24
Mix 1 3.85 5.64 7.64
Mix 2 4.02 6.13 8.05
Mix 3 4.36 6.84 8.54
Mix 4 4.54 7.02 9.05
Mix 5 4.89 7.24 9.51
Mix 6 5.02 7.81 9.98
Mix 7 5.34 8.05 10.36
Mix 8 5.56 8.37 10.86
Mix 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 1.05 2.98 4.53
Mix 1 2.03 3.54 4.95
Mix 2 2.58 3.98 5.02
Mix 3 2.98 4.02 5.56
Mix 4 3.02 4.52 5.98
Mix 5 3.42 5.06 6.38
Mix 6 3.78 5.64 7.12
Mix 7 3.89 6.12 7.39
Mix 8 3.98 6.65 7.76
MIX 7 days 14 days 28 days
Ref.mix 3.02 5.18 7.24
Mix 1 3.85 5.64 7.64
Mix 2 4.02 6.13 8.05
Mix 3 4.36 6.84 8.54
Mix 4 4.54 7.02 9.05
Mix 5 4.89 7.24 9.51
Mix 6 5.02 7.81 9.98
Mix 7 5.34 8.05 10.36
Mix 8 5.56 8.37 10.86

7. S. Paulraj, Dr. N. Balasundaram, K. Sates Kumar and M. Dharshna Devi
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Figure 3 Mat lab for flexural strength
Table 10 Results of the basalt fiber tensile tests
4. CONCLUSION
Based on the present work the following conclusions are drawn below,
The variation of 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days compressive strength of self-compacting concrete with
basalt fiber percentage are 0% to 2.0%. The variation of 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days splitting tensile
strength of self-compacting concrete with basalt fiber percentage are similar to compressive strength.
The variation of 28 days flexural strength self-compacting concrete with basalt fiber percentage is high
compared to other fiber. This fiber addition is same as the above test’s. Here tests are also taken
following the above test procedure. Addition of basalt fiber increases the 7 days compressive strength
compared to the reference mix and then increase the basalt fiber content to 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%,
1.4%, 1.6%, 1.8%, and 2.0% when fibers are added compared to the reference mix. Addition of fibers
to self-compacting concrete increases the 7 days split tensile strength by 13% to 69%. Addition of
fiber to self-compacting concrete increases the 28 days split tensile strength by 5% to 50%. Addition
of fiber to self-compacting concrete increases the 28 days flexural strength by 30% to 48%. The 7, 14
and 28 days compressive strength of self-compacting concrete with basalt fibers are maximum at a
fiber percentage = 0.3. The 7, 14 and 28 days split tensile strength of self-compacting concrete with
basalt fibers are maximum at a fiber percentage = 0.4. The 7, 14 and 28 days flexural strength of self-
compacting concrete with basalt fibers are maximum at a fiber percentage = 1.4 it also emphasis on
achieving the fresh concrete properties such as L-box test, U-box test, V-funnel test, J-ring test. The
flow of J-ring test is 760 mm to 620 mm. and the U-box data is 18 to 24 mm. L-box flow is 0.44 to
0.93. Last test of V funnel flowing timing should increase from 6.4 to 12 sec. prediction values are
defined from neural network the prediction percentages are 0.7%, 0.9%, 1.1%, 1.3%, 1.5%, 1.7%, and
1.9%.
Value diameter cross
section
maximum
force
extension
at failure
specific
elongation
tensile
strength
Young
modulus
df Af Fmax ∆lmax ε σmax E
Unit µm µm2
N mm % MPa GPa
Average 14.2 160.2 0.32 0.89 3.56 2016 61.9
Standard
deviation
1.4 30.3 0.09 0.22 0.89 434 3.5

8. Experimental Studies on Strength and SCC Characteristics of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete
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