PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF M70 GRADE HIGHPERFORMANCE CONCRETE INCORPORATING BASALT FIBERS

Abstract

High-performance concrete (HPC) has gained significant attention in modern construction due to its superior strength, durability, and enhanced structural performance. However, the brittle nature of conventional high-strength concrete often limits its ability to resist crack propagation and tensile stresses under loading conditions. To overcome these limitations, fiber reinforcement has emerged as an effective approach for improving the mechanical behavior and durability of high-performance concrete. Among the various fiber types available, basalt fibers have attracted considerable interest because of their high tensile strength, excellent thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and environmentally friendly characteristics. This study focuses on the performance evaluation of M70 grade high-performance concrete incorporating basalt fibers to enhance its mechanical and structural properties. An experimental investigation was conducted by incorporating different percentages of basalt fibers into M70 grade concrete mixtures. The concrete specimens were prepared, cured, and tested to evaluate their compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity at various curing ages. The influence of basalt fibers on crack resistance, post-cracking behavior, and overall mechanical performance was also assessed. The results indicated that the inclusion of basalt fibers significantly improved the tensile and flexural properties of highperformance concrete while maintaining excellent compressive strength characteristics. The fibers effectively controlled microcrack development and enhanced energy absorption capacity, resulting in improved ductility and structural integrity. Among the various fiber dosages investigated, an optimum basalt fiber content was identified that provided maximum improvement in mechanical performance without adversely affecting workability. The enhanced bonding between basalt fibers and the cementitious matrix contributed to increased load-carrying capacity and reduced crack propagation. The findings demonstrate that basalt fiber-reinforced M70 high-performance concrete can serve as a durable and sustainable construction material for highrise buildings, bridges, industrial structures, and other demanding infrastructure applications requiring superior strength and long-term performance.