The OPC grade cement, fine and coarse aggregate of 10 mm and 20 mm size was purchased from local market. The waste tarpaulin bags were collected from different locations and shredded for different cut length prior to use them in the concreate mixture. The aggregate testing was performed in the structural and civil engineering department and fiber processing and testing was performed in the department of textile engineering VJTI Mumbai. The experimental trials of concreate mix designs and its testing was performed in structural engineering department of VJTI Mumbai.
1.1 Sieve Analysis
To ascertain the aggregate material's particle size distribution, sieve analysis is an essential testing technique. The aggregate sample is put through a series of sieves with progressively smaller apertures, and the amount of material retained on each sieve is 16 measured afterward. The workability of the concrete is significantly affected by the particle size distribution. As a result, the mix design can be optimised to achieve desired workability, density, and strength of the product. For 10 and 20 mm aggregates, Sieves with sizes 40 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, and finally a pan are arranged in that order, the detailed representation of sieves for 10 and 20 mm is shown in Fig. 1 (a) and Fig. 1 (b) Around 2000 gm of sample is taken at air dried condition and sieved. Each sieve is shaken separately over a clean tray until not more than a trace passes, but in any cases for a period of not less than two minutes. The shaking is done with a varied motion, backwards and forwards, left to right, circular clockwise and anti-clockwise, and with frequent jarring, so that the material is kept moving over the sieve surface in frequently changing directions. Material shall not be forced through the sieve by hand pressure, but on sieves coarser than 20 mm, placing of particles is permitted. On completion of sieving, the material retained on each sieve, together with any material cleaned from the mesh is weighed. The weights are compared against IS: 383 standards for suitability of selected aggregates.
1.2 Water Absorption for Aggregates:
The water absorption test of aggregates is an essential test conducted to determine the amount of water absorbed by the aggregates. The aggregates are submerged in water for a period and the increase in weight is measured after the immersion. A higher water absorption of aggregates results in higher demand of water in the concrete mixture. As a result, with the help of water absorption, adjustments can be made in the mix design to increase or decrease the amount of water required. For testing of water absorbency, initially 500 gm of aggregates are weighed and then aggregates are washed thoroughly to remove any dust particles and impurities. The aggregates are kept in water for 24 hours. After 24 hours the aggregates are removed from the water and placed on a dry cloth to surface dry them thoroughly. Finaly, the aggregates are weighed again and percentage water absorption is finally estimated using following formula,
Water Absorption % = \(\frac{Final Weight-Initial Weaght}{Initial Weight } \times 100\)
1.3 Specific Gravity
Specific gravity of aggregate is defined as the ratio of the weight of aggregate to the weight of equal volume of water. It is an important parameter in the concrete mix design [8]. The specific gravity is helpful in calculating the volume of aggregates in the mix and adjusting the amount of water. To measure the specific gravity, initially 500 gm of aggregates are weighed and then kept in water for 24 hours. After 24 hours the aggregates are removed from the water and placed on a dry cloth to surface dry them thoroughly and then the weight is recorded. In later stage, the aggregates are placed in a pycnometer which is filled with distilled water. The pycnometer is dried from the outside and the weight of the aggregates with water in pycnometer is noted. In the last stage the water is removed from the pycnometer and the aggregates are kept in an oven for 24 hours at 110ºC. after 24 hours the aggregates are removed and allowed to cool. The the weight of oven dried aggregates is recorded. The specific gravity of the aggregates is calculated using following formula,
Specific Gravity = \(\frac{D}{A-(B-C) }\)
Where,
A is the Weight of surface dry sample
B is the Weight of pycnometer containing sample and filled with distilled water
C is the Weight of pycnometer filled with distilled water only
D is the Weight of oven dried sample
1.4. Concreate Mix Design
Mix design is the process of determining the proportion of the materials in a concrete mixture to achieve the desired properties and performance. The grade of concrete is the strength and quality of the concrete mixture. The grade of concrete is decided before starting to formulate the mix design. It is decided based on the strength requirement of the end product applications. The materials used are PPC Cement, coarse aggregates of 10 mm and 20 mm, crushed sand, water, chemical admixture (Mid PCE) and fibres. There is a replacement of 5% sand with waste tarpaulin fibres. The grade of concrete being used is M30. As a result, the characteristic strength is 30 MPa and the target strength is 38.25 MPa. For 38.25 MPa target strength, the water-cement ratio is 0.425. The water-cement ratio is necessary to calculate the amount of water and cement required. From the specific gravities of the aggregates their weights are calculated. The moisture content and water absorption are required to calculate the adjustments in water amount that is needed to be made. As we are replacing 5% fine aggregate by volume with tarpaulin fibres their weights change accordingly. The dimensions of the mould are 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm. Each test requires 3 samples, and the samples are tested for a period of 7, 14, 28 days of curing. As a result, we are required to make 9 samples of each batch i.e., one control batch and one batch containing fibres. So, the weights are calculated considering the volume of 9 samples. Wastages are also included. The detailed mix plan is reported in the Table 1.1.
Table 1.1
Material | Quantity for 0% Sample | Quantity for 5% Sample |
Cement | 15.24 kg | 15.24 kg |
Water | 7.6 kg | 7.6 kg |
Fine Aggregate | 26.68 kg | 23.99 kg |
Coarse Aggregate | 47.2 kg | 47.2 kg |
Fibres | 0 kg | 0.3263 kg |
Chemical Admixture | 0.1524 kg | 0.1524 kg |
1.5 Shredding of Fibers
The tarpaulin fibres are shredded manually with the help of scissors. The fibres are cut into lengths of 6–12 mm. However, a shredding machine can be used to obtain desired lengths.
1.6 Fiber Length and Denier Measurement
The shredded fibers are measured for its length and denier values using oil plate and cut weight method respectively. Both fiber length and denier values are important with respect to concreate mix and compressive strength. Total 50 measurements were performed in order to reduce the variability during measurement.
1.7 Workability Test
Workability refers to the ease with which a freshly mixed concrete can be handled, placed, and transported. A workability test or slump cone test is used to determine the workability of the concrete mixture. The workability test is essential to determine whether the concrete mixture is fit for use for or not. To measure the workability of mixed concrete, the concrete was initially poured in hollow cone of top diameter of 10 cm, bottom diameter of 20 cm, and a height of 30 cm. The internal surface of the cone is cleaned properly, and oil is applied. Then the cone is placed on a smooth horizontal non-absorbent surface [9]. The cone is filled with the concrete mixture in 3 layers. The excess concrete mixture is removed, and the cone is levelled properly. The mould is raised slowly and immediately in a vertical direction. The slump is measured as the difference between the height of the cone and the height of the concrete after the cone has been removed. There are four types of slumps viz. true slump, zero slump, collapsed slump, and shear slump. Of these four types of slumps only the true slump can be measured and is of significance. If any of the other three slumps is obtained, then the concrete mixture is said to be unfit for use.
1.8 Casting
Mould Preparation: The screws of the mould are tightened properly. The moulds are then cleaned thoroughly as any impurities may hamper the properties of the concrete block. The moulds are then oiled properly so that the concrete blocks are removed easily. The mould preparation of concrete blocks is shown in Fig. 1.2 (a) and (b) respectively.
1.9 Drying and Demoulding
The concrete mixture once vibrated and compacted is kept for 24 hours for drying and hardening of the block. Demoulding is the process of loosening the screws and releasing the concrete blocks from the moulds. Care must be taken to carefully demould the blocks to avoid any damages to the structural integrity of the concrete blocks. During demoulding, proper precautions must be taken to avoid any impact or shock that could cause cracking or damage to the concrete blocks. This can be done by using appropriate tools and equipment and avoiding striking the concrete block directly using an excessive force.
1.10 Curing of Samples
Curing is the process done to maintain favourable moisture and temperature conditions of the concrete blocks. It determines the strength, durability, and overall performance of the concrete blocks. As a result, it is important that the curing is done properly. Two types of curing are done. One is the initial curing which is done right after the surface of the concrete starts drying. This is done by covering the concrete surface with a damp burlap to avoid the rapid loss of moisture which may lead shrinkage cracks and reduced strength [9]. Another type of curing is the immersion curing where the concrete blocks are submerged in water for a period of 28 days.
1.11 Compressive Strength
Compressive strength is defined as the maximum compressive stress that a concrete block can bear before it falls under a uniaxial compressive load. It is an important mechanical property of concrete that determines the performance of the concrete. The compressive strength of tested and control samples is measured for 7, 14 and 28 days. The detailed representation of compressive strength of sample is shown in Fig. 3