Basalt: uses in research

Basalt dust in soil (enhanced weathering)

A 99-day pot (mesocosm) experiment growing potatoes in alkaline soil with basalt powder: the basalt measurably weathered, but no significant gain in stored inorganic carbon was detected in that time; heavy-metal risk was also assessed.

Built / tested: soil mesocosm trials

As reported in: Vienne, Poblador, Portillo-Estrada et al. (2022). Enhanced Weathering Using Basalt Rock Powder: Carbon Sequestration, Co-benefits and Risks in a Mesocosm Study With Solanum tuberosum. Frontiers in Climate. doi:10.3389/fclim.2022.869456

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CO2 turning to stone inside basalt

High-temperature, high-pressure lab experiments found olivine inside whole basalt converted to carbonate far more than a pure olivine sample did, suggesting tests on pure olivine may underestimate how much CO2 basalt can mineralise.

As reported in: Sissmann, Brunet, Martinez et al. (2014). Enhanced Olivine Carbonation within a Basalt as Compared to Single-Phase Experiments: Reevaluating the Potential of CO ₂ Mineral Sequestration. Environmental Science & Technology. doi:10.1021/es405508a

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Four-year basalt field trial in the US Corn Belt

Crushed basalt was spread yearly on a maize–soybean farm for four years; carbon removal was estimated from calcium and magnesium lost from the rock (not measured directly), and crop yields rose about 12–16% with no rise in trace metals in grain.

Built / tested: field-scale trial plots

As reported in: Beerling, Epihov, Kantola et al. (2024). Enhanced weathering in the US Corn Belt delivers carbon removal with agronomic benefits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi:10.1073/pnas.2319436121

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Review of basalt fibre composites

A broad review of basalt fibre and the composite materials made with it.

As reported in: Fiore, Scalici, Di Bella et al. (2015). A review on basalt fibre and its composites. Composites Part B: Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.12.034

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Basalt fibre for strengthening concrete structures

Characterised basalt fibre sheets as a material for strengthening concrete structures.

Built / tested: basalt fibre sheet test specimens

As reported in: Sim, Park, Moon (2005). Characteristics of basalt fiber as a strengthening material for concrete structures. Composites Part B: Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2005.02.002

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Basalt vs glass fibre in concrete

Compared concrete reinforced with basalt fibres against glass fibres in mechanical and fracture tests.

Built / tested: fibre-reinforced concrete specimens

As reported in: Kizilkanat, Kabay, Akyüncü et al. (2015). Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of basalt and glass fiber reinforced concrete: An experimental study. Construction and Building Materials. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.006

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Basalt rebar in concrete beams

Full-scale load tests on concrete beams reinforced with basalt fibre composite bars, compared with steel-reinforced beams.

Built / tested: reinforced concrete beams

As reported in: Duic, Kenno, Das (2018). Performance of concrete beams reinforced with basalt fibre composite rebar. Construction and Building Materials. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.208

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Basalt fibres in geopolymer concrete

Measured fracture toughness of cement-free geopolymer concrete with added basalt fibres.

Built / tested: geopolymer concrete samples

As reported in: Dias, Thaumaturgo (2005). Fracture toughness of geopolymeric concretes reinforced with basalt fibers. Cement and Concrete Composites. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.02.044

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Seawater ageing of basalt composites

Compared how basalt- and glass-fibre epoxy composites degrade when soaked in seawater.

Built / tested: composite test panels

As reported in: Wei, Cao, Song (2011). Degradation of basalt fibre and glass fibre/epoxy resin composites in seawater. Corrosion Science. doi:10.1016/j.corsci.2010.09.053

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