Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy; Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy^*, Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy

Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 14, Issue 5)

Received: 13 September 2026 Accepted: 13 September 2026 Published: 12 October 2026

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Abstract

Hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete is an effective approach for improving the mechanical performance, deformation capacity, and durability of concrete by combining fibres with complementary mechanical characteristics. Basalt fibres provide high stiffness and tensile strength, whereas polypropylene fibres contribute to crack control and post-cracking deformation. However, the combined influence of total hybrid fibre volume and fibre proportion on the mechanical and durability performance of polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete requires further investigation. Therefore, this study experimentally evaluates the mechanical and durability properties of M40-grade polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete with different total fibre volume fractions and fibre proportions. Twelve hybrid mixtures were prepared by varying the total fibre volume from 0.25% to 1.0% and the polypropylene-to-basalt fibre ratio as 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, along with a plain concrete control mix. Compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 3, 7, 28, and 90 days, while splitting tensile strength and water absorption were assessed at 28 days. Compressive stress-strain behaviour and deformation characteristics were also examined. The results showed that compressive strength was most effective at low to moderate fibre contents of 0.25-0.50%, particularly in basalt-rich mixtures, whereas higher fibre contents reduced compressive strength because of fibre interaction, reduced workability, and dispersion limitations. Flexural strength and deformation capacity improved substantially with hybrid fibre incorporation, with basalt-rich mixtures providing higher peak strength and polypropylene fibres contributing to post-cracking deformation. The 28-day splitting tensile strength increased by nearly 30% at 0.75% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Water absorption progressively decreased with increasing fibre content, reaching a minimum of 1.07% at 1.0% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Overall, polypropylene-basalt hybridisation effectively balances strength, ductility, tensile resistance, and durability, with the optimum fibre content depending on the targeted performance requirements.

Published in	American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 14, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
Page(s)	370-381
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Hybrid Fibre-reinforced Concrete, Polypropylene Fibre, Basalt Fibre, Mechanical Properties, Flexural Behaviour, Splitting Tensile Strength, Water Absorption

References

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APA Style

Reddy, R. B. R. A., Reddy, J. R. B. (2026). Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 14(5), 370-381. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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ACS Style

Reddy, R. B. R. A.; Reddy, J. R. B. Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2026, 14(5), 370-381. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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AMA Style

Reddy RBRA, Reddy JRB. Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. Am J Civ Eng. 2026;14(5):370-381. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17,
  author = {Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy and Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy},
  title = {Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {5},
  pages = {370-381},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20261405.17},
  abstract = {Hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete is an effective approach for improving the mechanical performance, deformation capacity, and durability of concrete by combining fibres with complementary mechanical characteristics. Basalt fibres provide high stiffness and tensile strength, whereas polypropylene fibres contribute to crack control and post-cracking deformation. However, the combined influence of total hybrid fibre volume and fibre proportion on the mechanical and durability performance of polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete requires further investigation. Therefore, this study experimentally evaluates the mechanical and durability properties of M40-grade polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete with different total fibre volume fractions and fibre proportions. Twelve hybrid mixtures were prepared by varying the total fibre volume from 0.25% to 1.0% and the polypropylene-to-basalt fibre ratio as 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, along with a plain concrete control mix. Compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 3, 7, 28, and 90 days, while splitting tensile strength and water absorption were assessed at 28 days. Compressive stress-strain behaviour and deformation characteristics were also examined. The results showed that compressive strength was most effective at low to moderate fibre contents of 0.25-0.50%, particularly in basalt-rich mixtures, whereas higher fibre contents reduced compressive strength because of fibre interaction, reduced workability, and dispersion limitations. Flexural strength and deformation capacity improved substantially with hybrid fibre incorporation, with basalt-rich mixtures providing higher peak strength and polypropylene fibres contributing to post-cracking deformation. The 28-day splitting tensile strength increased by nearly 30% at 0.75% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Water absorption progressively decreased with increasing fibre content, reaching a minimum of 1.07% at 1.0% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Overall, polypropylene-basalt hybridisation effectively balances strength, ductility, tensile resistance, and durability, with the optimum fibre content depending on the targeted performance requirements.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete
AU  - Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy
AU  - Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy
Y1  - 2026/10/12
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 370
EP  - 381
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
AB  - Hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete is an effective approach for improving the mechanical performance, deformation capacity, and durability of concrete by combining fibres with complementary mechanical characteristics. Basalt fibres provide high stiffness and tensile strength, whereas polypropylene fibres contribute to crack control and post-cracking deformation. However, the combined influence of total hybrid fibre volume and fibre proportion on the mechanical and durability performance of polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete requires further investigation. Therefore, this study experimentally evaluates the mechanical and durability properties of M40-grade polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete with different total fibre volume fractions and fibre proportions. Twelve hybrid mixtures were prepared by varying the total fibre volume from 0.25% to 1.0% and the polypropylene-to-basalt fibre ratio as 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, along with a plain concrete control mix. Compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 3, 7, 28, and 90 days, while splitting tensile strength and water absorption were assessed at 28 days. Compressive stress-strain behaviour and deformation characteristics were also examined. The results showed that compressive strength was most effective at low to moderate fibre contents of 0.25-0.50%, particularly in basalt-rich mixtures, whereas higher fibre contents reduced compressive strength because of fibre interaction, reduced workability, and dispersion limitations. Flexural strength and deformation capacity improved substantially with hybrid fibre incorporation, with basalt-rich mixtures providing higher peak strength and polypropylene fibres contributing to post-cracking deformation. The 28-day splitting tensile strength increased by nearly 30% at 0.75% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Water absorption progressively decreased with increasing fibre content, reaching a minimum of 1.07% at 1.0% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Overall, polypropylene-basalt hybridisation effectively balances strength, ductility, tensile resistance, and durability, with the optimum fibre content depending on the targeted performance requirements.
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy

Department of Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Rajiv Knowledge Valley, India; Department of Civil Engineering, YSR Engineering College of Yogi Vemana University, Proddatur, India

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Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy

Department of Civil Engineering, YSR Engineering College of Yogi Vemana University, Proddatur, India

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APA Style

Reddy, R. B. R. A., Reddy, J. R. B. (2026). Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 14(5), 370-381. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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ACS Style

Reddy, R. B. R. A.; Reddy, J. R. B. Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2026, 14(5), 370-381. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

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AMA Style

Reddy RBRA, Reddy JRB. Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete. Am J Civ Eng. 2026;14(5):370-381. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17,
  author = {Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy and Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy},
  title = {Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete},
  journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {5},
  pages = {370-381},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20261405.17},
  abstract = {Hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete is an effective approach for improving the mechanical performance, deformation capacity, and durability of concrete by combining fibres with complementary mechanical characteristics. Basalt fibres provide high stiffness and tensile strength, whereas polypropylene fibres contribute to crack control and post-cracking deformation. However, the combined influence of total hybrid fibre volume and fibre proportion on the mechanical and durability performance of polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete requires further investigation. Therefore, this study experimentally evaluates the mechanical and durability properties of M40-grade polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete with different total fibre volume fractions and fibre proportions. Twelve hybrid mixtures were prepared by varying the total fibre volume from 0.25% to 1.0% and the polypropylene-to-basalt fibre ratio as 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, along with a plain concrete control mix. Compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 3, 7, 28, and 90 days, while splitting tensile strength and water absorption were assessed at 28 days. Compressive stress-strain behaviour and deformation characteristics were also examined. The results showed that compressive strength was most effective at low to moderate fibre contents of 0.25-0.50%, particularly in basalt-rich mixtures, whereas higher fibre contents reduced compressive strength because of fibre interaction, reduced workability, and dispersion limitations. Flexural strength and deformation capacity improved substantially with hybrid fibre incorporation, with basalt-rich mixtures providing higher peak strength and polypropylene fibres contributing to post-cracking deformation. The 28-day splitting tensile strength increased by nearly 30% at 0.75% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Water absorption progressively decreased with increasing fibre content, reaching a minimum of 1.07% at 1.0% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Overall, polypropylene-basalt hybridisation effectively balances strength, ductility, tensile resistance, and durability, with the optimum fibre content depending on the targeted performance requirements.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Polypropylene-Basalt Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete
AU  - Ram Bhupal Reddy Anna Reddy
AU  - Jayarami Reddy Bommi Reddy
Y1  - 2026/10/12
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
SP  - 370
EP  - 381
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20261405.17
AB  - Hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete is an effective approach for improving the mechanical performance, deformation capacity, and durability of concrete by combining fibres with complementary mechanical characteristics. Basalt fibres provide high stiffness and tensile strength, whereas polypropylene fibres contribute to crack control and post-cracking deformation. However, the combined influence of total hybrid fibre volume and fibre proportion on the mechanical and durability performance of polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete requires further investigation. Therefore, this study experimentally evaluates the mechanical and durability properties of M40-grade polypropylene-basalt hybrid fibre-reinforced concrete with different total fibre volume fractions and fibre proportions. Twelve hybrid mixtures were prepared by varying the total fibre volume from 0.25% to 1.0% and the polypropylene-to-basalt fibre ratio as 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, along with a plain concrete control mix. Compressive and flexural strengths were evaluated at 3, 7, 28, and 90 days, while splitting tensile strength and water absorption were assessed at 28 days. Compressive stress-strain behaviour and deformation characteristics were also examined. The results showed that compressive strength was most effective at low to moderate fibre contents of 0.25-0.50%, particularly in basalt-rich mixtures, whereas higher fibre contents reduced compressive strength because of fibre interaction, reduced workability, and dispersion limitations. Flexural strength and deformation capacity improved substantially with hybrid fibre incorporation, with basalt-rich mixtures providing higher peak strength and polypropylene fibres contributing to post-cracking deformation. The 28-day splitting tensile strength increased by nearly 30% at 0.75% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Water absorption progressively decreased with increasing fibre content, reaching a minimum of 1.07% at 1.0% total fibre volume in the basalt-rich mixture. Overall, polypropylene-basalt hybridisation effectively balances strength, ductility, tensile resistance, and durability, with the optimum fibre content depending on the targeted performance requirements.
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
ER  -

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