Effect of Basalt Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Geopolymer Lightweight Concrete

Faisal Sadeq Abdulkareem; Nada Mahdi Fawzi Aljalawi

doi:10.48084/etasr.12345

Authors

Faisal Sadeq Abdulkareem Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8108-7421
Nada Mahdi Fawzi Aljalawi Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5809-4463

Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 25858-25863 | August 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.12345

Received: 26 May 2025 | Revised: 10 June 2025 and 21 June 2025 | Accepted: 28 June 2025 | Online: 2 August 2025

Corresponding author: Faisal Sadeq Abdulkareem

Abstract

Eco-friendly materials are increasingly used in civil engineering to support sustainable development. Conventional concrete relies heavily on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), the production of which contributes significantly to the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and fly ash can partially replace OPC, thereby reducing the environmental impact. This study investigates the effect of basalt fiber incorporation on the mechanical properties of geopolymer lightweight concrete. The concrete mixtures consisted of fly ash, slag, pumice aggregate, sand, and an alkaline activator prepared by combining sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The mix design included an activator-to-binder ratio of 0.45, sodium hydroxide molarity of 12 M, and a sodium hydroxide to sodium silicate ratio of 1:2.5. Basalt fiber was added at 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by volume. All specimens were cured at 80 ºC for 24 h. The mechanical properties evaluated included compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. The results showed that basalt fiber significantly improved all measured properties. At 28 days, the compressive strength increased by 11.67%, 14.85%, and 17.5%, the splitting tensile strength by 20%, 27.5%, and 38.75%, and the flexural strength by 21.6%, 32.14%, and 42.73%, respectively.

Keywords:

geopolymer lightweight concrete, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, basalt fiber

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