The effects of polypropylene fibers and rubber particles on mechanical properties of cement composite containing rice husk ash

摘要

People around the world rely on concrete as a safe, durable, and simple building material. Portland cement is a primary material in concrete construction. The increasing use of concrete in construction especially in the developing countries is becoming a problem due to Portland cement's high cost. That is why there is a need for alternative materials. Accordingly, many developing countries are attempting to develop substitutes for cement from locally available raw materials like agricultural and industrial wastes. The main objective of this study was to investigate use of rice husk in cement composite contained of waste rubber tire. Tires are discarded without control and deposited in inadequate way in the environment increasing the environmental, pollution and favouring the proliferation of insects that causes tropical diseases. Rice husk used in the present work was replaced of 10% of cement weight. And five designated rubber contents varying from 10% to 50% by volume and 0.3 % polypropylene fibre were used. The 28-days properties of the cement composite were determined. Analyses included compressive strength, flexural strengths, velocity of ultrasonic wave, water absorption and SEM. Test results indicated that the increase in rubber content decreases the sample unit weight Results have shown that the introduction of rubber particles significantly increases the strain capacity of the materials. Also use of rice husk decreased the mechanical properties in early age. But it helps to environmental problems.