Research Status of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Fiber-Reinforced Desert Sand Concrete

This study systematically investigates the effects of the desert sand replacement ratio (DSRR) and the incorporation of individual fiber types such as steel fibers, polypropylene fibers, and basalt fibers, as well as various hybrid fiber combinations, on the workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of fiber-reinforced desert sand concrete (FRDSC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) assessed hydration byproducts and elucidated the material’s toughening mechanisms. The optimal compressive strength occurs at 40% DSRR; further increases in the replacement ratio lead to a decline in performance. At this optimal DSRR, the addition of 0.5% steel fibers by volume results in a 27.6% increase in the compressive strength of the specimens. Moreover, the splitting tensile strength of specimens reinforced with a hybrid combination of basalt fibers and polypropylene fibers increased by 9.7% compared to those reinforced with basalt fibers alone. Microstructural observations reveal that fiber bridging promotes denser calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel development. These findings underscore the promising viability of FRDSC as a sustainable construction material, particularly for infrastructure projects in desert regions, offering both environmental and economic advantages.