A year-long study of eco-friendly fibre reinforced cementitious composites with high volume fly ash and industrial waste aggregates

Focusing on the utilization of industrial wastes and greener construction practices, this experimental study investigates the integration of high-volume fly ash, steel slag (SS) aggregates, and basalt fibres (BF) to advance the performance and sustainability of cementitious composites. The cementitious composite was tested at 28 and 360 days for mechanical and durability properties. Reduction in BF content by 1% increased the compressive strength by 14.10% and decreased the flexural strength and water absorption by 20.14% and 20.29% respectively at 360 days. SS aggregates, incorporated as 30% and 100% replacement of river sand, improved the strength of the composite significantly at 28 days and no volumetric instability was observed even at 100% replacement levels. The highlight of the paper is extremely high chloride ion penetration resistance of the developed mixes. Furthermore, incorporation of SS aggregates did not cause any dimensional instability even after 360 days. A scanning electron microscope was used to further analyse the influence of individual composite components. In particular, the effects of Interfacial Transition Zone at the aggregate-matrix and fibre-matrix on the mechanical and durability properties of the developed composite were explored.