A Comprehensive Review on the Performance of Basalt Fibers in Normal and Recycled Aggregate Concrete: Mechanical Properties, Durability, and High-Temperature Resistance
Tariq Ali, Muhammad Sarmad Mahmood, M. Junaid Arshad Qureshi, Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni, George Uwadiegwu Alaneme, Hawreen Ahmed, Ali Ajwad
Abstract
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) offers sustainability advantages but often shows reduced strength and durability compared with normal aggregate concrete (NAC). This review evaluates the role of basalt fibers (BF) in improving the performance of both NAC and RAC, drawing on over 150 experimental studies. Results show that properly selected BF dosages can enhance compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths by up to about 25%, 35%, and 60%, respectively. Most effective mixtures use 0.1–0.5% BF by volume with fiber lengths of 6–18 mm. In RAC, BF performs best at moderate recycled aggregate replacement levels of 40–50%, where it can significantly recover strength losses and, in several cases, achieve compressive strengths above 55 MPa. At these levels, BF also refines pore structure and improves resistance to freeze – thaw damage and chloride penetration. However, excessive dosages (≥0.6%) frequently reduce workability and promote fiber clumping and higher porosity. Overall, the findings show that optimized BF content and geometry, together with appropriate RAC mix design and aggregate treatment, can yield more durable and sustainable concrete, while underscoring the need for further research on hybrid fiber systems and performance prediction models for BFRC.