Effect of Chopped Basalt Fiber on the Fresh and Hardened Properties of Fly Ash High Strength Concrete

In order to improve the mechanical properties of high strength concrete, HSC, several studies have been conducted using fly ash, FA. Researchers have made it possible to achieve 100-150MPa high strength concrete. Despite the popularity of this FAHSC, there is a major shortcoming in that it becomes more brittle, resulting in less than 0.1% tensile strain. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties of FAHSC utilizing chopped basalt fiber stands, CBFS, as an internal strengthening addition material. This was achieved through a series of experimental works using a 20% replacement of cement by FA together with various contents of CBFS. Test results of concrete mixes in the fresh state showed no segregation, homogeneousness during the mixing period and workability ranging from 60 to 110 mm. Early and long terms of compressive strength did not show any improvement by using CBFS; in fact, it decreased. This was partially substituted by the effect of FA. Whereas, the split and flexural strengths of FASHC were significantly improved with increasing the content of CBFS as well as the percentage of the split and flexural tensile strength to the compressive strength. Also, test results showed a progressive increase in the areas under the stress-strain curves of the FAHSC strains after the CBFS addition. Therefore, the brittleness and toughness of the FAHSC were enhanced and the pattern of failure moved from brittle failure to ductile collapse using CBFS. It can be considered that the CBFS is a suitable strengthening material to produce ductile FAHSC.