CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, vol.21, pp.1-22, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Despite the fact that our country's road network is inferior to that of industrialized countries, the volume of motor traffic is increasing. Thus, optimal solutions are imperative during both project and construction phases of highway investments. Concrete superstructures offer an alternative to flexible superstructures in various regions globally, including airport runways, warehouses, urban roads, streets, highways and industrial buildings. The objective of this study was to enhance the compressive and flexural strength of concrete and provide resistance against abrasion. To achieve this, a roller compressible concrete (RCC) mixture design was developed by incorporating basalt fiber, nano TiO2, and nano Fe2O3 additives. The experimental results were subjected to statistical analysis via the technique of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of the study indicated that the strength performance of the optimal RCC mixture design reinforced with nano powder and fibers was superior to that of conventional concrete. Upon examination on a material basis, it was determined that the compressive strength exhibited an increase when the water/binder ratio was utilised within the range of 0.38-0.4. As the utilisation of nano-Fe2O3 and basalt fiber materials increased, their compressive strength exhibited a corresponding enhancement. The incorporation of basalt fiber into the composite material resulted in an increase in flexural strength at all ratios where it was utilised. It can be concluded that basalt fiber has the greatest potential for enhancing flexural strength. The optimal water-to-binder ratio for flexural properties is between 0.34 and 0.38. While nano powders can have a positive impact, they cannot achieve the maximum level of strength. For improving abrasion resistance, it was established that reducing the water/cement ratio, using fly ash, basalt fiber, and nano Fe2O3 in the mixture decreased abrasion. However, the usage of nano TiO2 did not have a significant positive effect. The material with the least effect on compressive, flexural and abrasion resistance was identified as nano TiO2. When materials other than nano TiO2 are utilised in accordance with the established optimal mixture calculation, the durability of the resulting RCC road will reach the requisite standard.