Mechanical behavior and damage constitutive relationship of basalt-brucite hybrid fiber reinforced low-heat cement concrete

In this study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of basalt-brucite hybrid fiber reinforced low heat cement concrete was explored. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of low heat cement concrete first increase and then decrease with the increase of hybrid fibers volume fraction, and the cubic compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and axial compressive strength of the optimal strengthening group, that volume fraction is 0.20% for basalt fiber and 0.15% for brucite fiber, respectively, increased by 40.16%, 70.61%, and 56.16%, respectively. Under a reasonable volume fraction of hybrid fibers, the mechanical properties of concrete could be significantly improved. By comparing the bonding effect between fibers and concrete, fibers exhibited different distribution patterns in concrete matrix, that could improve the compactness of concrete matrix through filling effect, optimize internal structure, and delay the connection and expansion of microcracks. The causes of the bonding effect between fibers and concrete was discussed from the perspective of chemical bonding effects. Based on the above analysis, the reinforcement mechanism of hybrid fibers on concrete was explored. Based on statistical damage theory, a damage constitutive equation for hybrid fiber reinforced low heat cement concrete considering fiber volume fraction was established by modifying the model parameters, and the model curve fitted well with the experimental curve.