Analysis of the strain-rate behavior of a basalt fiber reinforced natural hydraulic mortar

Fiber reinforced inorganic materials, such as concrete or mortars are expected to present good mechanical properties under high dynamic loading conditions, such as those induced by earthquakes. Furthermore, basalt fibers, which are being increasingly investigated in structural applications, are also expected to present good performance under high strain-rate conditions. This paper presents the results of a dynamic characterization of a basalt fiber reinforced natural hydraulic mortar, in order to verify its capability to withstand high dynamic loading conditions. In particular, the reinforced mortar was morphologically characterized by SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry; then, quasi-static flexural and tensile tests were conducted. Finally, dynamic tensile failure tests were carried out at medium and high strain-rates, using a Hydropneumatic machine and a Modified Hopkinson bar apparatus, respectively. The results were elaborated to derive Dynamic Increase Factors for the tensile strength. The fiber addition leads to a bridge action effect, and consequently to a more ductile behavior and higher toughness of the fiber reinforced mortar compared to a plain mortar. In addition, the fiber reinforced mortar appears to be highly strain-rate sensitive, as the tensile strength DIF increased up to 5.1, for a high strain-rate of about 102 s-1.