Performance of Environmentally Friendly Concrete Containing Fly-Ash and Waste Face Mask Fibers

Adnan Nawaz, Ameer Murad Khan, Amorntep Jirasakjamroonsri, Panumas Saingam, Ali Ejaz, Qudeer Hussain, Hisham Mohamad and Phromphat Thansirichaisree ()
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Adnan Nawaz: Department of Civil Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus, Wah Cantt 47040, Pakistan
Ameer Murad Khan: Thammasat Research Unit in Infrastructure Inspection and Monitoring, Repair and Strengthening (IIMRAS), Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University Rangsit, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
Amorntep Jirasakjamroonsri: Department of Sustainable Development Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
Panumas Saingam: Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Ali Ejaz: National Institute of Transportation, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Qudeer Hussain: Civil Engineering Department, Kasem Bundit University, Minburi, Bangkok 10510, Thailand
Hisham Mohamad: Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi, PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia
Phromphat Thansirichaisree: Thammasat Research Unit in Infrastructure Inspection and Monitoring, Repair and Strengthening (IIMRAS), Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University Rangsit, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-20

Abstract: This work was carried out to explore the potential use of used face masks in concrete to develop sustainable green concrete. In this experimental study, used face masks were cut up, removing the ear stripes and internal nose steel wire, to prepare elongated fibers. These fibers were incorporated in cement fly ash mixtures as an additive to determine the response of M20-grade concrete. The Class F fly ash (FA) was employed as a fractional substitute of cement up to 25% by weight, whereas the addition of face masks occurred at 0%, 0.125%, and 0.25% by volume of concrete. The testing scheme focused on the mechanical and durability characteristics of the cement FA mixtures carried out after 3, 28, and 60 days of curing. The inclusion of FA and face mask fibers reduced the density of concrete specimens. The compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of mixes were also reduced at an early age; however, the strength characteristics improved at later ages, compared to the control mix. The combination of both materials in concrete mixtures resulted in lower water absorption, lower bulk water sorption, and lower mass loss values against acid attack at later ages. Similarly, the electrical resistance of concrete substantially enhanced by increasing the percentage of both materials. The experimental results demonstrated that processed face masks can be utilized in cement fly ash mixes without significantly compromising the resultant concrete characteristics.

Keywords: eco-friendly concrete; face mask fibers; fly ash; mechanical properties; compressive strength (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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