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Mechanical performance and environmental impact of normal strength concrete incorporating various levels of coconut fiber and recycled aggregates

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Abstract

This study presents the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete made with recycled aggregates (RAs) and coconut fibers (CFs), with an emphasis on the development of sustainable and ductile cementitious composite through the valorization of coconut and construction wastes. For this purpose, the effect of different percentages of CF, i.e., 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by wt. of cement, was examined on the mechanical and physical properties of concrete incorporating RA (0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%). To avoid the negative effect of CF on workability, a plasticizer was used to achieve the target workability. The performance of mixes was evaluated based on the results of workability, density, compressive strength (CS), splitting-tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS), and water absorption. The results showed that incorporation of 1–2% CF improved the CS and STS of concrete for each constant level of RA. The addition of 2% CF is recommended for maximum mechanical performance. Concrete incorporating 50% coarse RA with 2% CF showed CS comparable to conventional concrete. Concrete made with 100% coarse RA and 2% CF showed STS and FS comparable to that of conventional concrete. This study recommends the use of 2% CF along with plasticizer to attain the best mechanical performance. Despite comparable STS and FS, 100% RA concrete with 2% CF produced 25% lower CO2 emissions than conventional concrete.

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Funding

This work received financial support from the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University through a group research program under grant number R.G.P 2/104/43.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Swedish College of Engineering and Technology, Wah Cantt, 47070, Pakistan

    Syed Haroon Ali Shah

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, 47050, Pakistan

    Muhammad Talha Amir

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Sahiwal, 57000, Pakistan

    Babar Ali

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, PO Box 394, Abha, 61411, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni

  5. Applied Mechanics and Systems Research Laboratory, Tunisia Polytechnic School, University of Carthage, La Marsa, 2078, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni

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  1. Syed Haroon Ali Shah
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  2. Muhammad Talha Amir
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  3. Babar Ali
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  4. Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni
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Contributions

SHAS: investigation, data curation, software, writing and editing original draft; MTA: data curation, software; BA: supervisor, software, formal analysis, writing and editing—revision; MHEO: conceptualization, supervision, formal analysis, writing and reviewing, methodology.

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Correspondence to Syed Haroon Ali Shah.

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Shah, S.H.A., Amir, M.T., Ali, B. et al. Mechanical performance and environmental impact of normal strength concrete incorporating various levels of coconut fiber and recycled aggregates. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 83636–83651 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21608-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21608-w

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