Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber
Abstract As a matter of fact, although RCA is inferior to that of NA (natural aggregate) in terms of performance, RCA is currently being used extensively in concrete production as a sustainable solution due to global increasing construction waste. To overcome these limitations, several mechanisms an...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92227-x |
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| author | Tariq Ali Muhammad Zeeshan Qureshi Kennedy C. Onyelowe Essam Althaqafi Ahmed deifalla Hawreen Ahmed Ali Ajwad |
| author_facet | Tariq Ali Muhammad Zeeshan Qureshi Kennedy C. Onyelowe Essam Althaqafi Ahmed deifalla Hawreen Ahmed Ali Ajwad |
| author_sort | Tariq Ali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As a matter of fact, although RCA is inferior to that of NA (natural aggregate) in terms of performance, RCA is currently being used extensively in concrete production as a sustainable solution due to global increasing construction waste. To overcome these limitations, several mechanisms and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have been investigated in the recent past. This study investigates the combined effect of natural fiber coconut (0%, 0.5%,1%,1.5% and 2%) and activated fly ash (mechanically and chemically) on performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Four concrete compositions were studied: a control group with varying RCA percentages and no fly ash, second group with 30% inactive fly ash, third group with 30% mechanically activated fly ash, and a fourth group with 30% chemically activated fly ash. The findings revealed that the addition of 30% chemically activated fly ash with 1.5% CF increased compressive strength by 25%, tensile strength by 17% for 100% RCA mix, While strength losses for the same mix are 7.18% after one month and 22.14% after three months of acid exposure. Scanning electron microscopy further validates the enhanced packing density and effective crack filling in the optimized mixes, highlighting their superior performance. This approach holds significant potential for advancing sustainable development pathways in high-performance structural concrete, particularly in regions prioritizing green building solutions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b7c7d0c5340f43f6a87a718419fb57e2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-b7c7d0c5340f43f6a87a718419fb57e22025-08-20T02:52:16ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-92227-xOptimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiberTariq Ali0Muhammad Zeeshan Qureshi1Kennedy C. Onyelowe2Essam Althaqafi3Ahmed deifalla4Hawreen Ahmed5Ali Ajwad6Department of Civil Engineering, Swedish College of Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and TechnologyDepartment of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kampala International UniversityCivil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid UniversityFaculty of Engineering and Technology, Future University in EgyptDepartment of Highway and Bridge Engineering, Technical Engineering College, Erbil Polytechnic UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Management and TechnologyAbstract As a matter of fact, although RCA is inferior to that of NA (natural aggregate) in terms of performance, RCA is currently being used extensively in concrete production as a sustainable solution due to global increasing construction waste. To overcome these limitations, several mechanisms and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have been investigated in the recent past. This study investigates the combined effect of natural fiber coconut (0%, 0.5%,1%,1.5% and 2%) and activated fly ash (mechanically and chemically) on performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Four concrete compositions were studied: a control group with varying RCA percentages and no fly ash, second group with 30% inactive fly ash, third group with 30% mechanically activated fly ash, and a fourth group with 30% chemically activated fly ash. The findings revealed that the addition of 30% chemically activated fly ash with 1.5% CF increased compressive strength by 25%, tensile strength by 17% for 100% RCA mix, While strength losses for the same mix are 7.18% after one month and 22.14% after three months of acid exposure. Scanning electron microscopy further validates the enhanced packing density and effective crack filling in the optimized mixes, highlighting their superior performance. This approach holds significant potential for advancing sustainable development pathways in high-performance structural concrete, particularly in regions prioritizing green building solutions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92227-xFly ashCoconut fiberMechanical and durability propertiesSEM |
| spellingShingle | Tariq Ali Muhammad Zeeshan Qureshi Kennedy C. Onyelowe Essam Althaqafi Ahmed deifalla Hawreen Ahmed Ali Ajwad Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber Scientific Reports Fly ash Coconut fiber Mechanical and durability properties SEM |
| title | Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| title_full | Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| title_short | Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| title_sort | optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber |
| topic | Fly ash Coconut fiber Mechanical and durability properties SEM |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92227-x |
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