Effect of Wastepaper Fibers on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Abstract

Abstract : As per the Bahrain vision for 2030 that the new construction must follow the green building requirements which can be achieved by utilizing the green concrete in construction industry. From that perspective, this study has been made to produce green concrete by utilizing the money waste available in Bahrain. The use of wastepaper in concrete conserves natural resources, resulting in less pollution of the environment and energy savings. The study was done by creating four mixes which are the control mix and three other mixes which had waste paper fibers in it which is collected from the Central Bank of Bahrain and the percentages added to the concrfete mix were 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% from the total weight of concrete. A total of 120 specimens were made and tested to check the mechanical properties. The tests made included the compressive strength test, the flexural strength, the tensile strength, the water absorprion test, the rapid chloride permeability test and lastly the ultrasonic pulse velocity test. The main findings of this study was that the addition of waste money fibers did have a positive effect on the mechanical properties of concrete as the compressive strength, flexural strength and tensile strength have been increased. Also the concrete became lighter and the cracks and voides became less. The optimum value to be added was the 0.5% of waste money fibers.