Examination of the fracture parameters of concrete produced with basalt aggregate

After meeting basic needs such as food and drink, humans require shelter to lead a more secure life. The rapid increase in population and the evolving construction sector continually necessitate sustainable solutions. Over time, humans have met their housing needs by using various construction materials, and the demand for ready-mixed concrete has grown in parallel with the development of the construction industry. The increased demand for ready￾mixed concrete has also led to a higher demand for aggregates. The decrease in the availability of aggregates used in ready-mixed concrete has prompted research into aggregate resources and the exploration of alternative aggregates. Basalt, a hard and dense volcanic rock, can be found in many regions of the world. In this study, natural rocks identified as basalt in the Karacadağ region within the Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin provinces of Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region were used as aggregate materials. The specific gravity, water absorption capacity, and clay content of the natural basalt aggregate were determined. Subsequently, the fracture parameters of concrete produced with basalt aggregate were analyzed. Concrete samples were produced by adding cement, water, and admixture to the basalt aggregate. The mechanical strengths of the concrete were analyzed using the Two-Parameter Model and Effective Crack Model from fracture mechanics. Four mix ratio series were used to compare aggregates with maximum particle sizes of 12 mm and 19 mm. The water/cement ratio of the concrete produced in the study was 0.45, and the selected cement dosages were determined as 300 and 350. Notched cube specimens with dimensions of 150×150×150 mm were used in the experiments.