Influence of Basalt Fiber on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Rubber Concrete

The utilization of waste rubber in concrete will reduce pollution and improve the efficiency of resource utilization. The effects of rubber particles and basalt fibers on the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete were investigated. In addition, the influence of basalt fibers on the mechanical properties and micropore structure of rubber concrete (RC) were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). The distribution of rubber particles in concrete was also studied. The results indicate that the effects of basalts fibers on the mechanical properties of rubber concrete were significant. The rubber particles were evenly distributed in the concrete. Compared with normal concrete (NC), rubber concrete with 10% rubber particles had lower compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. Compared with rubber concrete, basalt fiber rubber concrete (BFRC) with 2% basalt fibers had no obvious effect on the compressive strength, while significantly improving the splitting tensile strength, refining the pores of rubber concrete, and reducing the porosity of the matrix. The effects of basalt fiber on the properties and pore distribution of RC should be considered in future applications.