Strength and Microstructural Analysis of Nano Powder and Basalt Fibre Reinforced RCC Pavement Concrete

Nowadays, durability and longevity represent the main issues in the field of road concrete. Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is a sustainable option for road pavements due to its low binder content, fast application and high strength. Nevertheless, there is a necessity for the improvement of RCC road concretes through the incorporation of various additives to enhance their performance. The present study investigates the mechanical and microstructural properties of RCC road concretes containing Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ nano powders and basalt fiber additives. Three distinct mixtures were formulated, and a series of compressive strength, flexural strength and abrasion resistance tests were conducted. The results were verified by BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analyses. The experimental findings demonstrated that the incorporation of nano powder and basalt fiber additives was effective in increasing the durability of concrete. The third mixture demonstrated optimal performance, exhibiting a compressive strength of 61.20 MPa, a flexural strength of 8.80 MPa, and a mass loss of 2.5 g. BET analysis revealed that the incorporation of nanopowders enhanced the matrix density by increasing the surface area. Furthermore, the SEM images demonstrated that the nanopowders were uniformly dispersed within the matrix, and the basalt fibres exhibited robust interfacial interactions. In conclusion, the combined use of Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanopowders with basalt fibre additive is considered as an effective approach to improve the performance of RCC road concretes.