Green and sustainable concrete production using carpet fibers waste and palm oil fuel ash

Abstract

The utilization of industrial waste in the production of sustainable construction materials has attracted much attention recently due to saving a necessary place for landfills, low-cost of waste materials, and also an improvement in the concrete properties. This study presents the outcomes of an investigational work that addresses the physical and mechanical properties of green concrete comprising polypropylene carpet fiber waste and palm oil fuel ash (POFA). In this study, six fiber volume fractions of 0-1.25% with the fibers of 20 mm in length were used for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete mixes. Another six mixes were cast, whereby 20% POFA replaced OPC. It has been found that carpet fibers, together with POFA reduced the workability of concretes. The experimental results also revealed that the combination of carpet fibers waste and POFA enhanced the long-term compressive strength of concrete. At 365 days, the compressive strength was in the range of 43-54 MPa. The combination of carpet fiber waste and POFA, therefore, increased the tensile and flexural strength of concrete. The effects of POFA on the strength gain of concrete were to be more noticeable at ultimate curing ages. The outcomes of this study showed that there is a promising future for the consumption of industrial carpet fibers waste together with POFA in the production of green concrete as structural components.