The Effect of Water Absorbent Polymer Beads on Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete Exposed to Fire Flame
Received: 15 July 2025 | Revised: 7 August 2025 and 27 August 2025 | Accepted: 2 September 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025
Corresponding author: Noor Amer Mohamad Karem
Abstract
Developing concrete that combines high mechanical efficiency with strong thermal resistance is essential to address the challenges of elevated temperatures and repeated mechanical stress. In this study, the performance of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) was improved using two techniques. First, Basalt Fibers (BF) were added due to their excellent thermal resistance. Second, Water-Absorbing Polymer Beads (WAPB) were incorporated at 3%, 4%, and 5% of the cementitious material weight to enhance the residual mechanical strength of SCC after fire exposure. The WAPB served two main functions. Initially, they provided internal curing by gradually releasing the absorbed water (after 24 h of pre-soaking) to sustain hydration after casting, and secondly their shrinkage created voids that acted as thermal insulators, reducing the risk of explosive spalling at 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C. The objective was to investigate how BF and WAPB affect the SCC strength after fire exposure. The results showed that higher WAPB content improved the residual mechanical strength at elevated temperatures. Specifically, the residual compressive strengths were 32.91%, 36.95%, 41.89%, and 46.84%; the residual tensile strengths were 24.94%, 27.71%, 29.51%, and 31.42%; and the residual flexural strengths were 24.70%, 27.19%, 28.73%, and 30.33% for mixes BF0.4, BF0.4+P3, BF0.4+P4, and BF0.4+P5, respectively. All mixes contained 0.4% BF by volume, with WAPB ranging from 0% to 5% by cementitious material weight.
Keywords:
self-compacting concrete, basalt fiber, thermal conductivity, water absorbent polymerDownloads
References
H. K. A. Al-Obaidy, "Influence of Internal Sulfate Attack on Some Properties of Self Compacted Concrete," Journal of Engineering, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 27–46, Apr. 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2017.05.03
Z. K. Abbas, A. A. Abbood, and R. S. Mahmood, "Producing low-cost self-consolidation concrete using sustainable material," Open Engineering, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 850–858, Jan. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2022-0368
N. M. Altwair, A. G. Abuzgaia, A. M. Alsharif, L. S. Sryh, S. E. A. Abdulsalam, and K. A. Swalem, "Assessing the Effects of Libyan Iron Slag on Self-Compacting Concrete Characteristics," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 19589–19595, Feb. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.9337
H. Awang and Z. S. Aljoumaily, "Influence of granulated blast furnace slag on mechanical properties of foam concrete," Cogent Engineering, vol. 4, no. 1, Jan. 2017, Art. no. 1409853. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2017.1409853
B. A. Salman and M. Z. Al-Mulali, "The Effect of Nano Technology on the Properties of Sustainable Foam Concrete," Journal of Engineering, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 193–203, Jun. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2025.06.10
I. F. Al-Mulla and A. S. Al-Rihimy, "The Effect of the Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Behavior of Polymeric Fibers on Some Properties of Reactive Powder Concrete," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 21691–21694, Apr. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.10157
W. Z. Majeed, R. K. Aboud, N. B. Naji, and S. D. Mohammed, "Investigation of the Impact of Glass Waste in Reactive Powder Concrete on Attenuation Properties for Bremsstrahlung Ray," East European Journal of Physics, no. 1, pp. 102–108, Mar. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-1-12
O. Benjeddou, H. Y. Katman, M. Jedidi, and N. Mashaan, "Experimental Investigation of the High Temperatures Effects on Self-Compacting Concrete Properties," Buildings, vol. 12, no. 6, Jun. 2022, Art. no. 729. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060729
E. Gheidan, M. A. Ab. Kadir, and O. G. Aluko, "A thorough review of thermal and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced ordinary Portland cement-SCC and pozzolanic-SCC," Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 268–290, Feb. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JSFE-08-2024-0031
A. Saand, K. A. Jamali, M. A. Keerio, T. Ali, and N. Bhatti, "Effect of Metakaolin Developed from Local Soorh on Fresh Properties and Compressive Strength of Self-Compacted Concrete," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 4901–4904, Dec. 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.3152
Z. K. Abbas, H. A. Al-Baghdadi, and E. M. Ibrahim, "Concrete strength development by using magnetized water in normal and self-compacted concrete," Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Materials, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 564–572, Jan. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jmbm-2022-0060
N. A. Memon, M. A. Memon, N. A. Lakho, F. A. Memon, M. A. Keerio, and A. N. Memon, "A Review on Self Compacting Concrete with Cementitious Materials and Fibers," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 2969–2974, Jun. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.2006
A. Ozodabas, "Investigation of the Effect Of Basalt Fiber on Self-Compacting Concrete," International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 38–45, Dec. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v6.i12.2018.1075
S. M. Ali and H. K. Awad, "The Effect of Hybrid Fibers on Some Properties of Structural Lightweight Self-Compacting Concrete by using LECA as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 15002–15007, Aug. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7425
Y. Gong et al., "Effect of Basalt/Steel Individual and Hybrid Fiber on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of UHPC," Materials, vol. 17, no. 13, Jan. 2024, Art. no. 3299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133299
Z. Xue, P. Qi, Z. Yan, Q. Pei, J. Zhong, and Q. Zhan, "Mechanical Properties and Crack Resistance of Basalt Fiber Self-Compacting High Strength Concrete: An Experimental Study," Materials, vol. 16, no. 12, Jan. 2023, Art. no. 4374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16124374
J. Xu et al., "Comparative study on the properties of basalt and steel fiber reinforcement waste rock concrete," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, Apr. 2025, Art. no. 15103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99292-2
I. B. Adejuyigbe, P. C. Chiadighikaobi, and D. A. Okpara, "Sustainability Comparison for Steel and Basalt Fiber Reinforcement, Landfills, Leachate Reservoirs and Multi-Functional Structure," Civil Engineering Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 172–180, Jan. 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2019-03091235
Z. Wu, X. Wang, J. Liu, and X. Chen, "13 - Mineral fibres: basalt," in Handbook of Natural Fibres (Second Edition), R. M. Kozłowski and M. Mackiewicz-Talarczyk, Eds. Woodhead Publishing, 2020, pp. 433–502. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818398-4.00015-3
M. L. Regar and A. I. Amjad, "Basalt Fibre - Ancient Mineral Fibre for Green and Sustainable Development," EBSCO, vol. 59, no. 4, 2016, Art. no. 321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14502/Tekstilec2016.59.321-334
V. Medina, A. Daniel, and B. Green, "Basalt and Basalt Fiber for Enhanced Control of Hazardous Materials -25679," in ResearchGate, Apr. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390565143_Basalt_and_Basalt_Fiber_for_Enhanced_Control_of_Hazardous_Materials_-25679.
A. Ashteyat, A. T. Obaidat, R. Qerba’a, and M. Abdel-Jaber, "Influence of Basalt Fiber on the Rheological and Mechanical Properties and Durability Behavior of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC)," Fibers, vol. 12, no. 7, July 2024, Art. no. 52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12070052
M. Kiran Prabha, K. Vishnu Vardhan, A. S. Santhi, and G. Mohan Ganesh, "Advancements in Self-Compacting Concrete Reinforced With Basalt Fiber: A Comprehensive Review," Engineering Reports, vol. 7, no. 5, 2025, Art. no. e70147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70147
K. C. Onyelowe, A. M. Ebid, S. Hanandeh, V. Kamchoom, P. Awoyera, and S. Avudaiappan, "Modeling the compressive strength behavior of concrete reinforced with basalt fiber," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, Apr. 2025, Art. no. 11493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96343-6
H. Z. Harraz, Basalt rock fiber. turkey: Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 2019.
D. Rama Seshu and A. Pratusha, "Study on compressive strength behaviour of normal concrete and self-compacting concrete subjected to elevated temperatures," Magazine of Concrete Research, vol. 65, no. 7, pp. 415–421, Apr. 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.12.00108
S. D. Mohammed and N. M. Fawzi, "Fire Flame Influence on the Behavior of reinforced Concrete Beams Affected by Repeated Load," Journal of Engineering, vol. 22, no. 9, pp. 206–223, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2016.09.13
S. Paul, M. H. Rashid, and M. A. Rahman, "Effect of Elevated Temperature on Residual Strength of Self Compacted Concrete," Journal of Engineering Science, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 107–115, Dec. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jes.v11i2.50902
M. S. Al-Lami, "Effect of elevated temperature on compressive strength of self compacting concrete using viscocrete and silica fume," ResearchGate, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 405–413, Aug. 2025.
A. Alaskar, A. Albidah, A. S. Alqarni, R. Alyousef, and H. Mohammadhosseini, "RETRACTED: Performance evaluation of high-strength concrete reinforced with basalt fibers exposed to elevated temperatures," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 35, Mar. 2021, Art. no. 102108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102108
A. A. Allawi, N. K. Oukaili, and W. A. Jasim, "Strength compensation of deep beams with large web openings using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets," Advances in Structural Engineering, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 165–182, Jan. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1369433220947195
I. F. Ahmed, "Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Water Absorption Polymer Balls (WAPB)," Kufa Journal of Engineering, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 42–52, July 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30572/2018/KJE/821164
N. F. Hussen and S. D. Mohammed, "Influence of Fire-Flame Duration and Temperature on the Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Containing Water Absorption Polymer Sphere; Numerical Investigation," Journal of Engineering, vol. 28, no. 11, pp. 67–84, Nov. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2022.11.06
N. K. Oukaili and A. A. Al-Asadi, "Analysis of Concrete Flexural Members Reinforced with Fibre Polymer," Journal of Engineering, vol. 16, no. 03, pp. 5569–5587, Sept. 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2010.03.19
N. M. Fawzi and A. K. Weli, "Some Properties of Polymer Modified Self-Compacting Concrete Exposed to Kerosene and Gas Oil," Journal of Engineering, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 31–48, Jan. 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2016.01.03
A.-M. I. S. Al-Mussaue and A. H. A.-R. Al-Modhafer, "Behavior of Concrete Beams Reinforced in Shear with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer," Journal of Engineering, vol. 17, no. 01, pp. 46–61, Jan. 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2011.01.04
A. I. Said and O. M. Abbas, "Serviceability behavior of High Strength Concrete I-beams reinforced with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer bars," Journal of Engineering, vol. 19, no. 11, pp. 1515–1530, Nov. 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2013.11.10
N. M. Fawzi and A. Y. E. AL-Awadi, "Enhancing Performance of Self–Compacting Concrete with Internal Curing Using Thermostone Chips," Journal of Engineering, vol. 23, no. 7, pp. 1–13, June 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2017.07.01
D. J. Akers et al., Guide for Structural Lightweight-Aggregate Concrete. USA: American Conctrete Institute, 1999.
I. H. Jaber and W. A. Waryosh, "Effect of water-absorbent polymer balls in internal curing on punching shear behavior of bubble slabs," Open Engineering, vol. 14, no. 1, Jan. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2024-0036
J. Shi et al., "The Effect of Superabsorbent Polymer on Fair-Faced Concrete Performance Based on White Cement," Advances in Civil Engineering, vol. 2023, no. 1, 2023, Art. no. 6615183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6615183
I. F. A. Al-Mulla, A. S. Al-Rihimy, and M. F. Al-Shamaa, "Compressive Strength and Shrinkage Behavior of Concrete Produced from Portland Limestone Cement with Water Absorption Polymer Balls," Key Engineering Materials, vol. 857, pp. 83–88, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.857.83
Iraqi standard Specification for Portland Cement.IQS.No 5-2019. Iraq: Iraqi Standard Specification, 2019.
Iraqi Specification for Aggregate from Natural Sources for Concrete and Building Construction,IQS.No.45.1984. Iraq: Iraqi Standard Specification, 1984.
ASTM C1240-20 Standard Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious Mixtures. USA: ASTM International, 2020.
STM C494/C494M-17 Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete. USA: ASTM International, 2017.
Iraqi Standard Materials Specification & Construction Works. Iraq: Iraqi Standard Specification, 2004.
The European Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete Specification, Production and Use. EFNARC, 2005.
BS EN 12390-3: 2019. Testing Hardened Concrete. Compressive Strength of Test Specimens. UK: British Standards Institution, 2019.
ASTM C496 - C496M - 17 Standard Test Method For Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens. USA: ASTM International, 2018.
ASTM C293/C293M-16 (2016) Standard Test Methods for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Center-Point Loading). USA: ASTM International, 2016.
B. Q. Naeem and H. K. Awad, "Effect of Perlite Aggregate Replacement of Coarse Aggregate on the Behavior of SCC Exposed to Fire Flame by Using Different Cooling Methods," Journal of Engineering, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 54–72, Jan. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2025.01.04
A. A. Hammadi, A. F. Izzat, and J. A. Farhan, "Effect of Fire Flame (High Temperature) on the Self Compacted Concrete (SCC) One Way Slabs," Journal of Engineering, vol. 18, no. 10, pp. 1083–1099, Oct. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2012.10.01
H. H. Yahy AL-Radi, S. Dejian, and H. K. Sultan, "Performance of Fiber Self Compacting Concrete at High Temperatures," Civil Engineering Journal, vol. 7, no. 12, pp. 2083–2098, Dec. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2021-03091779
ASTM E119-98, Standard Test Method for Fire Tests for Building Construction and Materials. USA: ASTM International, 1987.
L. Rajamony Laila, B. G. A. Gurupatham, K. Roy, and J. B. P. Lim, "Influence of super absorbent polymer on mechanical, rheological, durability, and microstructural properties of self-compacting concrete using non-biodegradable granite pulver," Structural Concrete, vol. 22, no. S1, pp. E1093–E1116, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201900470
S. Shoaib, T. El-Maaddawy, H. El-Hassan, B. El-Ariss, and M. Alsalami, "Workability and Flexural Strength of Concrete Reinforced with Basalt Macro-Fibers," in Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction, 2022, vol. 9, no. 1, Art. no. MAT-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.2022.9(1).MAT-32
ASTM C1113/C1113M-09 (2013) Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity of Refractories by Hot Wire (Platinum Resistance Thermometer Technique). USA: ASTM International, 2013.
Y. Wang, C. Ma, Q. Liu, Q. Zhou, and Y. Ma, "Effect of Moisture Content on Thermal Conductivity of Concretes," China Construction Technology Group Co., Ltd, no. 4, pp. 595–599, Sept. 2018.
C. Chen, X. Liu, Q. Q. Zhou, and Y. L. Ma, "Effect of basalt fiber on the thermal conductivity and wear resistance of sintered WC-based diamond composites," International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, vol. 105, June 2022, Art. no. 105829. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2022.105829
F. Xie, C. Zhang, D. Cai, and J. Ruan, "Comparative Study on the Mechanical Strength of SAP Internally Cured Concrete," Frontiers in Materials, vol. 7, Nov. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2020.588130
Downloads
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Noor Amer Mohamad Karem, Hadeel Khalid Awad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) after its publication in ETASR with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
