Mechanical and durability characteristics of sustainable coconut fibers reinforced concrete with incorporation of marble powder

Abstract

‘Concrete needs some tensile reinforcement to enhance tensile strength and avoid unacceptable brittle nature. This study is supported out to estimate the characteristics of coconut fibers reinforced concrete with the incorporation of marble slurry. Marble waste used as binding materials in percentage of 0 to 30% in 5.0% increment by weight of cement to enhance compressive capacity while coconut fiber was used in proportion of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% by weight of cement to enhance tensile capacity of concrete. Mechanical performance was evaluated through compressive, flexure, and split tensile strength. To assess durability characteristics of all mix, different parameters such as acid attack resistance, carbonation resistance and water absorption are examined. Experiment findings indicate that marble slurry and coconut fiber decrease the workability of fresh concrete. Furthermore, Concrete specimens’ tests indicate that marble slurry up to 20% and coconut fiber addition 2.0% tend to improve the mechanical performance of hardened Concrete. It also indicates that durability aspects such as water absorption, carbonation resistance and acid attack resistance significantly improved with the substitution of marble waste and coconut fibers. Response surface methodology (statistically models) is used to optimize combine dosage of marble slurry and coconut fiber and verified through experimental tests’.