Review on Research and Application of Basalt Fiber in Concrete Mix

Abstract

Basalt fiber (BF), as an environmentally friendly material, is widely used in civil engineering due to its low energy consumption, non-polluting nature, and excellent physical-chemical properties. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of BF in enhancing the mechanical properties, frost resistance, and crack resistance of concrete. In terms of mechanical performance, an appropriate BF dosage (0.1%–0.2%) significantly improves compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength while reducing internal porosity. However, excessive fiber content leads to agglomeration and increased porosity. Studies indicate that 12mm-long BF exhibits optimal comprehensive reinforcement effects. For frost resistance, BF suppresses microcrack propagation induced by freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs), thereby delaying strength degradation and durability loss. Synergistic effects with nanomaterials (e.g., nano-SiO₂) further enhance performance; for instance, specimens with 2% BF and nano-SiO₂ showed 10%–18% lower residual strength loss after 180 FTCs. Regarding crack resistance, BF bridges cracks and promotes self-healing, achieving crack reduction coefficients of 8.2%–78.0% at 0.1%–1.5% dosage. Hybrid use with silica fume or cellulose ether optimizes both workability and mechanical properties. Despite its potential, challenges such as fiber dispersion, optimal dosage thresholds, and multi-factor synergy mechanisms require further exploration.