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A multi-criteria evaluation and optimization of sustainable fiber-reinforced concrete developed with nylon waste fibers and micro-silica

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Abstract

Nylon waste fibers similar to new nylon fibers possess high tensile strength and toughness; hence, they can be used as an eco-friendly discrete reinforcement in high-strength concrete. This study aimed to analyze the mechanical and permeability characteristics and life cycle impact of high-strength concrete with varying amounts of nylon waste fiber and micro-silica. The results proved that nylon waste fiber was highly beneficial to the tensile and flexural strength of concrete. The incorporation of a 1% volume of nylon waste fiber caused net improvements of 50% in the flexural strength of concrete. At the combined addition of 0.5% volume fraction of nylon fiber and 7.5% micro-silica, splitting tensile and flexural strength of high-strength concrete experienced net improvements of 49% and 55%, respectively. Nylon fiber-reinforced concrete exhibited a ductile response and high flexural toughness and residual strength compared to plain concrete. A low volume fraction of waste fibers was beneficial to the permeability resistance of high-strength concrete against water absorption and chloride permeability, while a high volume (1% by volume fraction) of fiber was harmful to the permeability-resistance of concrete. For the best mechanical performance of high-strength concrete, 0.5% nylon waste fiber can be used with 7.5% micro-silica. The use of micro-silica minimized the negative effect of the high volume of fibers on the permeability resistance of high-strength concrete. The addition of nylon waste fibers (at 0.25% and 0.5% volume) and micro-silica also reduced carbon emissions per unit strength of concrete.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this work through Large Groups Project under grant number R.G.P. 2/130/44.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Sahiwal, 57000, Pakistan

    Babar Ali

  2. College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila, 54200, Kuwait

    Marc Azab

  3. Department of Highway Engineering, Technical, Engineering College, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Kurdistan-Region, Iraq

    Rawaz Kurda

  4. CERIS, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georresources Department, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Rawaz Kurda

  5. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Nawroz University, Duhok, Iraq

    Rawaz Kurda

  6. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia

    Nabil Ben Kahla

  7. Laboratory of Systems and Applied Mechanics, Tunisia Polytechnic School, University of Carthage, La Marsa, 2078, Tunis, Tunisia

    Nabil Ben Kahla & Miniar Atig

  8. Department of Civil Engineering, The Higher National Engineering School of Tunis, University of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia

    Miniar Atig

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  1. Babar Ali
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  2. Marc Azab
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  3. Rawaz Kurda
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  4. Nabil Ben Kahla
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  5. Miniar Atig
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Contributions

Babar Ali: Experiments, analysis, and writing—original draft. Marc Azab: Supervision, analysis, and writing—reviewing. Rawaz Kurda: Supervision, formal analysis, and software. Nabil Ben Kahla: Funding, writing—reviewing, and software. Miniar Atig: Funding and writing—reviewing.

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Correspondence to Babar Ali.

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Ali, B., Azab, M., Kurda, R. et al. A multi-criteria evaluation and optimization of sustainable fiber-reinforced concrete developed with nylon waste fibers and micro-silica. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 62262–62280 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26492-6

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