Mechanical properties of hybrid basalt-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforced concrete

This study focuses on the study of the mechanical behavior of non-metallic hybrid Basalt-PVA fiber reinforced concrete. Total five mixes were investigated with one control plain concrete and four with fiber volume fraction of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2. Basalt and PVA were used in same quantity. Fiber decreased workability, therefore superplasticizer was used to maintain workability constant. The increase in superplasticizer and fiber content decreased compression, split tensile and flexure strengths because of formation of big size pores. Whereas fiber enhanced the post peak load zone in the load-deflection curve. Fiber improved the bridging action by increasing energy absorption. Fiber vanished the brittle behavior of high strength concrete and increased first crack toughness, flexure toughness and also maximum deflection. 0.3 volume fraction of fiber was found to be optimum with the negligible decrease in compression, split tensile and flexure strength while caused the considerable increase in first crack toughness, flexure toughness, and maximum deflection. © 2017 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.