Simultaneous effects of nanosilica and basalt fiber on mechanical properties and durability of cementitious mortar: an experimental study

This study investigated the single and hybrid effects of nanosilica and basalt fiber on mechanical properties and durability of mortar. Results showed that basalt fiber could remarkably increase the indirect tensile strength, whereas the compressive strength and durability properties were not significantly improved by basalt fiber. However, incorporation of nanosilica in the mortar containing basalt fibers could acceptably compensate for this weakness of basalt fiber-reinforced mortar (BF) and remarkably improve not only the compressive strength and durability but also the indirect tensile strength compared to BF samples. According to the best results, samples containing 1% of nanosilica and 0.05% of basalt fiber improved the compressive strength, sorptivity, and water absorption by 37%, 48%, and 32%, respectively. Moreover, incorporation of 1% of nanosilica and 0.125% of basalt fiber increased the flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and specific electrical resistivity by 29%, 27%, and 35%, respectively, compared to the control samples.