Assessment of Concrete Compressive Strength with Polyacrylonitrile and Basalt Fibers

The use of concrete in construction has remained relevant over time. However, advocates for sustainable construction and structural innovation prove that there could be more in concrete. Studies have particularly focused on improving its durability and strength. In line with these, this study aims to evaluate the compressive strength of M25 and M50-grade concrete cylinders reinforced with basalt and PAN fibers. Moreover, it aims to design and test fiber mixtures, assess their sustainability, and develop a structural model to optimize performance. The researchers first determined the properties of polyacrylonitrile and basalt fibers subjected to test and compare theoretical models. Then, the researchers performed a structural performance optimization of fiber-reinforced concrete. Concrete specimens have been cured and tested in compression through the Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Aiding in the gathering and analysis of data, the study adopted descriptive statistics, central tendency measures, student t-tests, and cost-benefit analysis as statistical treatments. Four simulations were run, and variables such as Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus were held constant due to limitations in equipment and literature. The garnered concrete compressive strengths concluded with their reduction, specifically found in specimens with added PAN and basalt fibers. Stress simulations and structural models also validated this reduction. Furthermore, fiber-reinforced concrete was more costly with the addition of required steel rebars, thus increasing the cost of materials. It was also found that these fibers provided no structural benefit, as the statistical analysis showed no significant difference between fiber-reinforced and regular concrete mixtures. In addition, they could not enhance crack resistance and durability. Since material selection and production monitoring are as essential as fiber dispersion and curing conditions, engineers focus on these variables as they affect performance. This meant higher construction costs due to the reduced compressive strength of the concrete. With these, the researchers recommend further studying PAN and basalt fiber to clarify their effect on compressive strength. Furthermore, long-period evaluation must be done on fiber-reinforced concrete's structural durability for environmental conditions.