Development and Characterization of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Green Concrete Utilizing Coconut Shell Aggregates

Muhammed Talha Ünal (), Huzaifa Bin Hashim (), Hacı Süleyman Gökçe, Pouria Ayough, Fuat Köksal, Ahmed El-Shafie, Osman Şimşek and Alireza Pordesari
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Muhammed Talha Ünal: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Huzaifa Bin Hashim: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Hacı Süleyman Gökçe: Department of Civil Engineering, Izmir Democracy University, 35140 Izmir, Türkiye
Pouria Ayough: School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
Fuat Köksal: Department of Civil Engineering, Yozgat Bozok University, 66900 Yozgat, Türkiye
Ahmed El-Shafie: National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirate University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
Osman Şimşek: Department of Civil Engineering, Gazi University, 06100 Ankara, Türkiye
Alireza Pordesari: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-27

Abstract: Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) is gaining interest due to its reduced weight, high strength, and durability while being cost-effective. This research proposes a method to design an LWAC by integrating coconut shell (CS) as coarse lightweight aggregate and a high volume of wet-grinded ultrafine ground granulated blast furnace slag (UGGBS). To optimize the mix design of LWAC, a particle packing model was employed. A comparative analysis was conducted between normal-weight concrete (M40) and the optimized LWAC reinforced with basalt fibers (BF). The parameters analyzed include CO 2 emissions, density, surface crack conditions, water absorption and porosity, sorptivity, and compressive and flexural strength. The optimal design was determined using the packing density method. Also, the impact of BF was investigated at varying levels (0%, 0.15%, and 1%). The results revealed that the incorporation of UGGBS had a substantial enhancement to the mechanical properties of LWAC when BF and CS were incorporated. As a significant finding of this research, a grade 30 LWAC with demolded density of 1864 kg/m 3 containing only 284 kg/m 3 cement was developed. The LWAC with high-volume UGGBS and BF had the minimum CO 2 emissions at 390.9 kg/t, marking a reduction of about 31.6% compared to conventional M40-grade concrete. This research presents an introductory approach to sustainable, environmentally friendly, high-strength, and low-density concrete production by using packing density optimization, thereby contributing to both environmental conservation and structural outcomes.

Keywords: lightweight aggregate concrete; coconut shells; waste aggregates; sustainability; packing density (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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