No abstract

No abstract

Due to a growing interest in basalt fibers as a reinforcing material for concrete, it becomes necessary to study behavior of such fibers and their interaction with the concrete matrix. Basalt fibers have prospective mechanical and processability properties, as well as good cost-effectiveness when used as concrete reinforcement. However, alkali resistance properties of basalt fiber are rather weak. Three types of basalt fibers from various manufacturers are presented, which were produced from different basalt raw materials and with distinct production technologies. All presented basalt fiber types were studied before mixing with concrete and after it has cured. Size and morphology, young's modulus, tensile strength, bending modulus and flexural properties as well as chemical analysis tests were carried out on the types of basalt fibers under consideration. One type of basalt fibers showed better alkali resistance properties due to the special selection of raw materials for the basalt fibers production.

A new composite material with neutron radiation shielding properties is presented. This fiber reinforced concrete material incorporates basalt-boron fiber, with different concentrations of boron oxide in fiber, and is applicable to nuclear energy and nuclear waste management. The methodology for production of boron oxide (B2O3) infused basalt fiber has been developed. First experimental samples of basalt boron fiber containing 6% of B2O3 and 12% B2O3 have been produced in laboratory conditions. The concrete samples reinforced by two types of basalt-boron fiber with different dosages have been prepared for neutron experiment. The neutron experimental investigations on radiation shielding properties of concrete reinforced by basalt-boron fiber have been performed by means of Pu-Be neutron source. The prepared samples have been tested in the course of several series of tests. It is shown that basalt-boron fibers in concrete improve neutron radiation shielding properties for neutrons with different energies, but it appears to be most effective when it comes to thermal neutrons.