Okolnikova G.E.

Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph.D.), Associate Professor, RUDN University, Department of Construction Technologies and Structural Materials of the Engineering Academy; Professor of the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (National Research University MGSU)

Compressive strength and durability check of pre-soaked basalt fiber reinforced concrete under dynamic loading

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-4-8
Аннотация
This study examined the impact of dry and pre-soaked basalt fibers on the durability, mechanical, and dynamic properties of concrete. Macro (UMA, PMA) and micro (UMI, PMI) fibers were used at a set dosage of 2%, where water-conditioned pre-soaked fibers were soaked for 24 hours before use. Experimental tests were slump, density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, chloride ion diffusion, and dynamic modulus of elasticity, together with finite element analysis (FEA). Results indicated that the pre-soaked micro-fiber mix (PMI) had maximum compressive strength (39 MPa), 18% more than control, while pre-soaked macro-fiber mix (PMA) had maximum flexural strength (3 MPa), 27.8% more than control. Durability tests also indicated PMA to reduce chloride diffusion by 44%, i.e., improved pore refinement. Dynamic modulus rose to 14%, confirming increased stiffness and fatigue life. FEA result confirmed trends with improved stress distribution and delayed failure in the pre-soaked fiber concretes. Pre-soaking basalt fibers guarantees overall improved fiber–matrix interfacial bond, internal curing, and sustainable response under Dynamic loading.
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Impact of aircraft landing load on the crack resistance of hybrid basalt fibre-reinforced aerodrome concrete pavements

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-2-9
Аннотация
Hybrid basalt fibre-reinforced concrete (HBFRC) has emerged as a high-performance material capable of addressing the severe mechanical demands placed on aerodrome pavement systems. By integrating basalt micro and macro fibres, the composite gains improved stiffness, enhanced crack-arrest capacity, and greater resistance to repeated aircraft-induced loads. This study develops and analyses 25 hybrid concrete mixes using both laboratory testing and a detailed finite element simulation in Ansys Workbench to quantify how different fibre proportions influence compressive strength, stiffness, and deformation under an Airbus A321neo load. A 3D fracture-based pavement model incorporating predefined semi-elliptical crack geometry was used to evaluate the de-formation response across 7-, 14-, and 28-day curing periods. Results show a clear improvement in mechanical performance with hybridisation, with the mix containing 2% basalt microfibres and 1% macrofibres consistently yielding the lowest deformation values (0.0054353mm, 0.005815mm and 0.0057363mm) for 7 days, 14days and 28 days respectively, indicating superior crack-resistance and load-bearing capacity throughout the curing stages. While the mix containing 0.5% basalt microfibres and 0.5% macrofibres yielded the highest deformation values (0.0059277mm and 0.0058474mm) for 14 and 28 days respectively. The findings demonstrate that optimal hybrid fibre combinations significantly reduce pavement vulnerability to its risk of being susceptible to damage from changing aircraft loads like heaving traffic and can serve as practical reinforcement strategies for strengthening modern airfield infrastructure. The study further highlights the importance of micro–macro fibre synergy in improving fracture behaviour and offers valuable guidance for developing next-generation high-durability airport pavement materials.
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