OPTIMISATION OF CONCRETE REINFORCED WITH RECYCLED POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE FROM CEMENT BAGS AND FLY ASH USING SCHEFFE METHOD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63746/njtd.v23i1.4274Keywords:
Fly ash, Recycled polypropylene fibre, Cement bag fibres, Scheffe method, Mix optimisation, Compressive and Flexural strengthAbstract
Recent developments in sustainable concrete technology emphasise reducing cement usage and integrating waste-derived materials. This study examines the combined effects of fly ash and recycled polypropylene fibre (RPPF) obtained from cement bags on grade 20 concrete, utilising the Scheffé (6,2) simplex lattice method for modelling and optimisation. Twenty-one concrete mixtures were prepared with water, cement, river sand, crushed granite, fly ash, and RPPF. Fly ash replaced cement at proportions from 0% to 25%, and RPPF was added at 0% to 2.5% by cement weight. Cube and beam specimens were cast, cured, and tested for strength at 7 and 28 days. The 28-day compressive strengths ranged from 6.3 to 19.7 N/mm², while flexural strengths varied from 0.42 to 3.04 N/mm². Optimal mechanical properties were observed with moderate fly ash substitution and low RPPF content. The Scheffé model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with R² values of 99.98% for compressive strength and 99.97% for flexural strength. The optimal mix ratio, 0.50:0.95:2.00:0.05:0.01:3.00 (Water: Cement: Fine Aggregate: Fly Ash: RPPF: Coarse Aggregate), yielded 28-day strengths of 19.17?N/mm² (compressive) and 2.59?N/mm² (flexural), thereby advancing sustainability goals while ensuring adequate mechanical performance.
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