Performance of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concretes with Basalt Fibers at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

The utilization of Construction and Demolition waste (C&D) is gaining importance due to rapid depletion of natural aggregates, as well as due to increased awareness worldwide towards sustainable development. Water absorption characteristics of adhered mortar associated with C&D aggregates has to an extent hindered the potential of extensively using Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) in concretes. The study examines the performance of concretes with replacement of natural coarse aggregates by RCA in different proportions. Attempts were made to enhance the compressive strength of RCA based concretes using basalt fibers. Results, show that possibility of using RCA based concretes (either 50 or 100% replacement) is possible without compromising strength, by incorporating 1.5% basalt fibers. Use of basalt fibers result in 13 and 19% enhanced strengths to concretes (for 50 and 100% replacement) apart from exhibiting superior elevated temperature endurance. Study also includes microstructural investigation of RCA based concretes with and without basalt fibers at elevated temperatures. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.