Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Building Engineering, cilt.77, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Waste materials evolve from various processes in industries that require efficient management for their disposal to ensure a cleaner environment. Disposing of solid waste, such as carpets, to sites has grown challenging since the development and management of sites are very costly. There is a dire need to manage such a vast amount of carpet waste efficiently. This study examines certain mechanical properties and durability characteristics of concrete incorporating discarded carpet threads and silica fume (SF). Initially, six different concrete mixes were produced, with 0.25%–1.0% waste carpet fibers by concrete volume and 10% SF by weight of cement. Then samples were tested for mechanical strength, i.e., compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength. The durability characteristics, such as water absorption, rapid chloride penetration test, drying shrinkage, and freeze-thaw action, were also determined. The study shows that the abandoned carpet waste threads and SF (an industrial waste) in concrete significantly increase tensile and flexural strengths and various other durability characteristics. The further increase in fiber content resulted in a lowering of mechanical strengths and workability. Experimental results show the increase in tensile and flexural strengths of the concrete by waste carpet fibers (0.25%) and SF (10%) by 16.5% and 34%. SF and waste carpet fibers improve other durability characteristics, reducing freeze-thaw, drying shrinkage, and chloride ion permeability coefficient by up to 47%, 79%, and 50%. Additionally, using waste carpet fibers to ameliorate concrete properties instead of fresh fibers helps conserve natural resources. It leads to the conservation of resources, sustainability, recycling of wastes, and a circular economy.