Papers by Keyword: Water Absorption

Abstract: In Lima, many concrete structures experience accelerated deterioration due to physical and chemical factors, limiting their durability. This study evaluates the effect of recycled glass powder (RGP) and a nanosilica additive (1.5 %) on concrete with f’c = 27.5 MPa (280 kg/cm²), focusing on optimizing its mechanical properties, durability, and economic feasibility. Mixtures with 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % cement replacement by RGP were prepared, assessing compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, as well as permeability and water absorption. The mixture with 10 % RGP (RGP-10) showed the best early age mechanical performance, increasing compressive strength by 39.1 %, tensile strength by 12.7 %, and flexural strength by 26.2 % compared to the concrete control. Mixtures with 15 % and 20 % RGP showed lower initial strength, although future gains are expected due to delayed pozzolanic reactions. Regarding durability, RGP-10 reduced permeability by 9.02 % and water absorption by 6.45 %, while RGP-15 and RGP-20 achieved even greater reductions, with permeability decreasing by 11.48 % and 9.84 %, and water absorption by 8.68 % and 10.56 %, respectively. Although the nanosilica additive increases the initial cost, its combination with RGP produces significant improvements in mechanical properties and durability, contributing to a reduction in maintenance related costs, resulting in a durable, sustainable, and economically viable material.

Abstract: This study explores the effect of incorporating Brachirus orientalis shell powder as a natural filler on the mechanical and moisture absorption properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) paste composites. Composites were formulated with varying filler loadings (1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, and 3 wt.%) and evaluated through tensile testing and water absorption analysis. The results showed that low filler concentrations (1–2 wt.%) maintained tensile strength and ductility close to those of neat PVC, indicating good filler dispersion and interfacial bonding. However, at 3 wt.% filler content, a reduction in tensile strength and Young’s modulus was observed, likely due to agglomeration and microstructural defects. Despite this, engineering and true tensile strains increased with filler loading, reflecting improved toughness and energy dissipation. Furthermore, water absorption decreased with increasing filler content, demonstrating enhanced resistance to moisture ingress due to the barrier effect of the shell particles. These findings support the potential of B. orientalis shell powder as an eco-friendly reinforcement for improving the toughness and environmental durability of PVC composites.

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the optimization of burnt clay brick durability using recycled ceramic tile powder as a partial replacement for clay. The research employed a central composite design approach to systematically evaluate the influence of the ceramic powder addition on the water absorption and abrasion resistance characteristics of the bricks. The experimental results demonstrated that the incorporation of 10% recycled ceramic tile powder significantly enhanced the durability of the burnt clay bricks, reducing the water absorption from 15.2% to 8.9% and the abrasion loss from 3.38 mm to 1.59 mm, compared to the control sample. The statistical analysis of the central composite design model revealed a strong correlation between the ceramic powder content and the durability properties, with R-squared values exceeding 93%. The findings of this study highlight the potential of using recycled ceramic tile powder as a sustainable and effective additive to improve the overall performance and durability of burnt clay bricks, contributing to the development of more eco-friendly and durable construction materials.

Abstract: Aim: This research evaluates the strength and stability of hemp, kenaf, and coir fiber reinforced composites produced by compression molding for industrial applications. Materials and Methods: Hemp, kenaf, and coir fibers are blended with a polymer matrix and compression molded. Group 1 (Traditional) This article illustrates the effective fabrication of hybrid fiber. Ultimately stabilized to a medium percentage of resin (75%). Group 2 (Composite) hemp, kenaf & coir blended fiber source more tensile, compressive strength and minimum water absorption rate and wear behavior. Result: The best were the kenaf composites, then hemp water resistance, and they all possessed good thermal stability. Compression molding assisted in enhancing fiber bonding. Conclusion: Compression molding improved the adhesion of fiber and matrix. Kenaf composite exhibited maximum strength, hemp exhibited maximum water resistance, and all of them exhibited good thermal stability.

Abstract: The article provides some information about gypsum concrete, its applications, and the advantage of using organic fillers compared to mineral ones. The optimal technology for the production of gypsum concrete mix was determined, and an economically attractive type of organic filler in the form of chopped corn stalks was established. The compressive strength of the resulting material was studied depending on the fraction of crushed stone used. Effective methods for combating shrinkage cracks at the stage of manufacturing prototypes have been identified, which allows increasing the bearing capacity of the samples by 2.5 times. The water resistance and water absorption of the material, as well as their effect on strength, were investigated. As a result of experimental studies, it was found that the optimal concrete compositions with filler fractions of 3-5 and 5-10 mm should be considered 1:1 and 1:1.5 by volume (binder: filler), which can provide sufficient compressive strength (13-23 MPa) for blocks and slabs of internal partitions and good water resistance (0.91-1.0), while having good sound-absorbing properties.

Abstract: The growing demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based polymer materials has driven the development of bio-based materials. Among them, chitosan stands out as a promising biopolymer due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, its hydrophilicity, causing high water absorption, limits its practical applications. In this study, tannic acid was employed as a cross-linking agent, and chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) were introduced as a reinforcing agent to enhance the properties of the chitosan-based films. The incorporation of ChNFs significantly improved the tensile stress of the films without compromising their transparency. Furthermore, the cross-linked chitosan films with ChNFs exhibited excellent UV-blocking capabilities. This highlights their potential as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based polymers.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of manufacturing typha-based materials with a lime-based binder. For this purpose, three types of lime with different compositions were tested to produce lime-based typha concretes. The mechanical performance (compressive strength and apparent modulus of elasticity) of the materials developed was evaluated as a function of binder content and binder type. Two types of formulations were studied: one with a binder/aggregate ratio of 3, called F3, and the other with a binder/aggregate ratio of 2, called F2. Water absorption kinetics and typha particle size analysis were also studied. The dry density, compressive strength and apparent modulus of elasticity of typha concretes were determined. The results showed a reduction of mechanical performance as the binder/aggregate ratio decreased. The density of typha concretes range from 520 kg/m3to 396 kg/m3. The best mechanical performances were obtained with Thermo Tradical and Earasy binders. When the binder/aggregate ratio was reduced from 3 to 2, stress at 10% strain ranged from 0.6 MPa to 012 MPa and apparent modulus of elasticity from 31.5 MPa to 3.57 MPa. This study showed that binder composition has a significant impact on the mechanical performance of plant-based concretes.

Abstract: This study investigates the utilization of corn cob ash as a partial replacement for cement in the production of sandcrete bricks. This was necessitated due to the high cost of cement and the eco-friendly alternative to cement potentials the corn cob ash may possess. The corn cob was obtained from locals in Uselu, Benin City and was washed, dried for 24 hours then burnt in the furnace at 700 °C for 12 hours to obtain the ash at Engineering Faculty Workshop, University of Benin, Benin City. The corn cob ash substitution with cement, were done in weighted percentages, between 10 % and 20 %, cured for 3 days, 16 days and 28 days in a laboratory controlled environment using varying water/cement ratios and fine aggregates. Response surface methodology in Design- Expert 7.0 software was used to produce the experimental designs. The results obtained, reveal that corn cob ash can replace cement, up to 10 % weighted percentages in sandcrete brick, without reducing its compressive strength below 2.5 N/mm² and it also had 11.98 % of water absorption, which satisfied the standards for non-load bearing sandcrete bricks. The quadratic model formulated for the blended sandcrete brick was significant possessing a p-value of 0.02 and 0.047 with an adjusted R² value of 0.65 and 0.56 for the compressive strengths and water absorption properties respectively.

Abstract: Environmental advantages and remarkable performance can be achieved by using ramie fibers, which demonstrates the enormous potential in fiber reinforced composites. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of chemical treatment on water absorption, thickness swelling, and hardness behavior of polyester/ramie composites. Natural fibers that were not treated or treated were prepared in unidirectional orientation, and the vacuum infusion technique was used to manufacture the composites. Comparing composites treated with both oxalic acid and alkali to untreated ramie fibers, the composites resistance to water absorption was increased by 94.68%. The evaluation of thickness swelling also revealed that the combination treatment exhibited the lowest percentage of dimension expansion. The thickness swelling of the polyester/ramie composite was reduced by 32.58% as a result of the ramie fibers being immersed in subsequent alkali and oxalic acid solutions. The findings of the Shore D Hardness test showed that after the samples were soaked for 312 hours, there was a decrease in hardness, where the smallest found in the treated samples.

Abstract: Concrete, a fundamental material in modern construction, is prone to water penetration, which can lead to structural degradation. Conventional waterproofing methods often rely on materials with significant environmental impacts. This study explores the use of wood tar (WT), derived from Eucalyptus wood pyrolysis, as a sustainable waterproofing agent for concrete. The WT was characterized using pH and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as well as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). With a small modification, the WT waterproofing efficacy was tested through contact angle measurements and water absorption by capillary rise within concrete. Results indicated that WT-coated concrete exhibited significantly lower water absorption and demonstrated potential as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional waterproofing methods. Although preliminary results, this research contributes to the development of sustainable building materials, driving innovation to construction practices.