Properties of basalt fiber for enhancing the strength of

concrete structures
RAJANI TOGARSI
Civil Engineering Department
KLS GIT BELAGAVI
Orcid Id: 0000-0001-8162-64404
Abstract—This study delved into the application of basalt fiber bars
for flexural reinforcement in concrete elements, as well as the
utilization of chopped basalt fibers as an additive to augment the
mechanical properties of concrete. An effort is undertaken to
anticipate the influence of basalt fiber on the characteristics of M30
grade concrete across different basalt fiber proportions. Basalt fiber,
a relatively recent addition to fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and
structural composites, shares a chemical composition akin to glass
fiber but boasts superior strength properties. Distinguishing itself
from many glass fibers, basalt fiber exhibits high resistance to
alkaline, acidic, and salt aggression, rendering it a promising choice
for applications in concrete, bridges, and shoreline structures.
Key words: BFRC, FRP.

1. INTRODUCTION

Concrete, characterized by a low tensile strength and limited

strain capacity, undergoes notable enhancement in engineering
properties through the incorporation of fibers into its mix. Fiber-
reinforced concrete (FRC) is extensively employed due to its
remarkable corrosion resistance, heightened ductility, and
commendable durability. A variety of fibers, including steel or
organic ones, can be integrated into cement and concrete
composites. An emerging option is basalt fiber, an inorganic
fiber derived from molten basalt rock, now accessible in the
commercial market. Fig.1
Basalt fibers are derived from basalt rocks melted at
1400 °C, rendering them environmentally safe, non-toxic, and 2.1 Physical Properties of Basalt Fibre
endowed with high stability and insulating properties [1]. Basalt fibers result from the melting of crushed volcanic
Recently, Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) reinforcing basalt rock in a single-stage process. They are
bars have emerged as a viable alternative to steel reinforcement
characterized by their non-toxic and environmentally
in concrete structures and as external reinforcement for
retrofitting existing concrete structures. In contrast to the safe nature. Additionally, basalt fibers (BF) exhibit
widespread use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) notable heat resistance, insulation capabilities, and an
and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) materials, basalt elastic structure.
fibers have not gained extensive traction. This limited adoption
could be attributed to a lack of foundational research and Table 1. Physical Properties of Basalt Fibre
extensive testing needed to establish appropriate design
Sl No. Physical Properties Values
recommendations and guidelines. Additionally, chopped basalt
fibers have been introduced as an additive to concrete mixes, 1 Tensile Strength (N/mm2) 2800-
contributing to the production of fiber-reinforced concrete. 4800
2 Specific Gravity 2.7
1.1 WHY BASALT?
Following are the physical properties of Basalt. 3 Density (g/m3) 2.6
1. Basalt maintains stability under high-temperature 4 Modulus of Elasticity 85-90
conditions (N/mm2)
2. It has water absorption resistance, sound absorption
capabilities, and exceptional chemical resistance.
3. Basalt fibers exhibit excellent resilience in alkaline 2.2 Physical Properties of Basalt Fibre
environments, showcasing the ability to endure pH
levels as high as 13-14
Basalt fiber, made from fine basalt fibers, offers superior
4. Moreover, they demonstrate commendable resistance
to both acids and salts physico-mechanical properties at a lower cost than
carbon fiber. Widely used in aerospace and automotive
1.3 Objectives of the Study industries, it serves as a fireproof textile and composite
i) To study the mechanical properties of Basalt material for products like camera tripods. Originating
ii) To compare the flexural strength of concrete with from volcanic rock, it undergoes a spinning process in
BFRC. production. Basalt fibers are environmentally friendly,
not causing toxic reactions with water or air pollution. In
2. METHODOLODY
BFRP, they provide essential load-bearing, stiffness,
strength, and thermal stability properties.
 strength, flexural strength, and durability properties
Table 2. Physical Properties of Basalt Fibre
Sl No. Physical Properties Values Table 4. Compressive strength
1 Tensile Strength (N/mm2) 4.84 Volume Basalt Fibre Percentage Change
2 Specific Gravity 2.6 fraction (N/mm2) in Compressive
3 Density (g/m3) 2.7 (Vf) Strength
(in %)
4 Modulus of Elasticity 100
7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
(N/mm2)
0 28.8 40.45 0 0
0.2 26.1 43.12 9.4 6.6
2.3 Materials Utilised
0.25 31.01 48.15 18.8 11.7
In this study, we utilized ordinary Portland cement (OPC) 0.3 32.1 46.95 3.5 2.5
grade 53, confirming to IS 8112. Cement properties were tested 0.35 29.85 45.69 7.0 2.7
per standard procedures (IS:12269:1987). Locally available 0.4 28.01 45.21 6.2 1.1
river sand meeting grading zone II criteria served as fine
aggregate, with properties assessed according to IS 2386-1963
and IS 383-1970. The coarse aggregate consisted of 20mm- Compressive Strength
sized crushed granules conforming to IS 383:1970, and its Comparison
physical properties
60
were determined following IS: 2386-1963.

Compressive Strength in N/mm2

50 7 Days
2.4 Mixing of Materials 40
It involves measuring concrete ingredients by either volume or 30
mass and incorporating them into the mix. While traditionally 28 Days
20
done by volume, most specifications now advocate mass
10
batching for accuracy. The precision percentage is linked to the
mix proportion. Concrete can be categorized into fresh and 0
1 2 3 4 5 6
hardened forms. The strength and durability of a given mix
depend on proper compaction. In this project, two tests were Volume Fraction
conducted on fresh concrete
1. Slump Cone Test Fig. 2. Compressive Strength Comparison
2. Compaction Factor
Table 5. Flexural Strength Result
Table 3. Physical Properties of Fresh Concrete
Volume Basalt Fibre (N/mm2) Percentage Change
Sl Physical Values IS CODE
fraction in Compressive
No. Properties SPECIFICATION
(Vf) Strength
1 Slump Cone 90mm Medium
(in %)
2 Compaction 0.93 Medium
7 days 28 7 days 28
Factor
days days
0 4.45 5.73 0 0
2.5 Casting and Curing
0.2 4.75 6.21 6.7 8.4
Cubes measuring 150mm × 150mm x 150mm were cast for
0.25 5.10 6.51 7.9 4.8
compression strength, cylinders of 150mm diameter and
0.3 5.21 6.32 2.5 2.9
300mm height for split tensile strength, and prismatic beams of
0.35 5.30 6.81 17.5 18.8
100mm × 100mm × 500mm for flexural strength. The
specimens were demolded and cured for 7 and 28 days. 0.4 4.52 6.57 2.0 3.5

3. Results and Discussion

In this experimental study, specimens were cast
based on a mix proportion with five different percentages
of basalt fibers. The beams were constructed using a
combination of basalt fibers, steel bars, and basalt fiber
polymer bars. They were then tested to determine strength
parameters, including compression strength, split tensile
 2. Bureau of Indian Standards, "IS 2386 (Part II):
Flexural Strength Comparison Specifications for Methods of Test for Aggregates for
60 Concrete - Part III: Specific Gravity, Density, Voids,
Flexural Strength in N/mm2

50 Absorption and Bulking," First Revision. [Online].

7 Available: [Insert URL if applicable].
40 Days 3. Bureau of Indian Standards, "IS 10262: Guide Lines For
30 Concrete Mix Proportioning," First Revision. [Online].
28
Available: [Insert URL if applicable].
20 Days
4. GU Xingyu, XU Tingting and NI Fujian. (2014),
10 "Rheological Behavior of Basalt Fiber Reinforced
Asphalt Mastic", Journal of Wuhan University of
0
Technology- Mater, Volume 29, Issue 5, pp. 950-955
0 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
5. Gopi N, Baskar P. Dharani B and Abinaya P. (2016),
Volume Fraction "Experimental Investigation of Concrete with Basalt
Fibre", International Journal of Emerging Technology In
Computer Science & Electronics (JETCSE), Volume 21,
Fig. 3. Flexural Strength Comparison Issue 1, pp.0976-1353.
6. Hua-Xin Liu, Jian-Wei Yang, Xue-Zhi Wang and Ding-
Jie Han. (2016), "Experimental study on shear behavior
4. CONCLUSIONS: of BFRP-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete deep
beams without stirrups", KSCE Journal of Civil
The Compressive Strength test indicates that the addition of Engineering, Volume 21, Issue 8, pp. 2289-2299
basalt fibers to M30 grade concrete has a significant effect on 7. Ramadevi K. Chithra R and Rajesh B. (2017),
compressive strength "Experimental study on strength properties of concrete
with different aspect ratios of Basa Fibre", International
Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (UCIET),
Volume 8, Issue 9, pp. 629-637.
1. 7-Day Compressive Strength: With 0.25% basalt fiber
8. Gay, D., Hoa, S. V. and Tsai, S. W. 2003. “Composite
volume fraction, the compressive strength is 32.1 MPa, which Materials, Design and Applications” (CRC Press, New
is an 18.8% increase compared to the control specimen at 28.8 York, 2003
MPa 9. [4] Militky, J., Kovacic, V. and Rubnerova, J. 2002,
“Influence of thermal treatment on tensile failure of
2. 28-Day Compressive Strength: With 0.25% basalt fiber basalt”. Eng Fract
volume fraction, the compressive strength is 48.15 MPa, 10. Mech; 69: 1025-33.
showing a 11.17% increase compared to the control specimen 11. [5] Militky, J. and Kovacic V. 1996, “Ultimate
at 40.45 MPa mechanical properties of basalt filaments”. Text Res; 66:
225-9.
The flexural test indicates that the addition of basalt fibers to 12. [6] Pareek, K., Ansari, M.S., Verma, S. and Saha, P.
concrete prismatic beams with a fiber volume fraction of 2016, “Seismic retrofitting of the structure: An
0.35% has a positive impact on flexural strength Overview”, International
13. Conference on Recent in Materials and Mechanics; Burla,
3. 7-Day Flexural Strength: With 0.35% basalt fiber volume India.
fraction, the flexural strength is 5.30 MPa, which is a 17.5% 14. [7] Palmieri, A., Matthys, S. and Tierens, M. 2009,
increase compared to the control specimen at 4.45 MPa. Basalt Fibers: Mechanical Properties and Applications
for Concrete
4. 28-Day Flexural Strength: With 0.35% basalt fiber volume 15. Structures, Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK, 165-
fraction, the flexural strength is 6.81 MPa, showing a 18.8% 169.
increase compared to the control specimen at 5.73 MPa 16.

In summary, the inclusion of basalt fibers in M30 grade

concrete at the specified volume fractions significantly
improves both compressive and flexural strength properties.
These findings are crucial for applications where enhanced
strength and durability are paramount, showcasing the potential
of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete as a viable and effective
construction material.

REFERNCES:
1. Bureau of Indian Standard, "IS 2386 (Part I): Specifications
for Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete - Part I:
Particle Size and Shape," Second Revision. [Online].
Available: [Insert URL if applicable].