Effects of basalt fiber powder on mechanical properties and microstructure of concrete

In this study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of concrete containing basalt fiber (BF) powder were investigated. BF powder at five volumetric dosages of 0, 0.05 %, 0.1 %, 0.15 %, and 0.2 % were used to determine the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. In addition, the durability of the concrete at the optimal dosage was studied by erosion resistance, shrinkage deformation, and steel corrosion rate tests. The microstructure development was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques. Experimental results showed that BF powder reinforced the concrete in a dosage-dependent manner. Relative to the late strength, it had a better reinforcement effect on the early strength of the concrete. Furthermore, the anti-abrasion performance of the concrete with a 0.20-vol % BF powder was significantly improved. According to the SEM, the incorporation of the BF powder led to development of Calcium Silicate Hydrate(C-S-H), which further refined the pores and promoted densification. Therefore, this study on BF powder to improve the properties of concrete is of significance for the further research and practical engineering applications