SUSTAINABLE APPLICATION OF TEXTILE WASTE FIBER AS LOW-COST CONCRETE MATERIAL

Abstract

This thesis paper investigates the sustainable application of textile waste fiber as a low-cost concrete material. The study was motivated by the need to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste by finding a viable solution to repurpose it. The main objectives of the study were to reduce the textile waste load to landfill and the carbon monoxide emissions associated with textile waste. To achieve these objectives, we casted cylinders and beams incorporating textile fibers in various proportions and tested them for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, surface resistivity, water absorption, water penetration, and density. The test results were compared with those of a standard sample to assess the performance of the textile fiber concrete in various perspectives. The findings of this study indicate that incorporating textile waste fiber in concrete production can significantly enhance its mechanical and durability properties, while reducing its cost and environmental impact. By partially replacing fine aggregate in concrete with textile fibers, it is possible to reduce the amount of fine aggregate used and mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with concrete production. The addition of textile fibers improved the split tensile strength, and flexural strength of the concrete by 1.8% and 70.4% respectively. Moreover, the ultrasonic pulse velocity, and surface resistivity properties of the concrete were also enhanced by 23.8% and 61% respectively. The results also suggest that the textile fiber concrete has a potential to reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfills, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of textile waste. Overall, the use of textile waste fiber as a low-cost concrete material is a promising approach for sustainable construction. It not only helps to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste but also contributes to the development of circular economy by valorizing textile waste. The findings of this study could have practical implications for the construction industry, as it offers a potential solution to reduce the cost and environmental impact of concrete production.