Effect of fracture and elastic modulus properties on geopolymer concrete reinforced with basalt fibers for an ecofriendly environment

Experimental studies have been carried out with the use of basalt fibers (BF) in geopolymer concrete in various proportions such as 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, and 15%. Basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (BFGC) specimens have been casted to study the effect of fracture toughness, fracture energy, and crack propagation length using three-point bending experiments. From the test results on various mix proportioned samples, it was found that the use of basalt fibers with 5% in BFGC increased the fracture toughness and energy in a greater manner. Fracture energy and toughness were found to be higher for BFGC when compared to that of conventional GC. Use of 5% BF in concrete had proved to give larger fracture toughness when compared to other ratios. Usage of BF in concrete was found to reduce the crack length evolved when the percentage of BF was 5%.