Flexural Strength Properties of Compacted Cement - Fly Ash from Municipal Solid Waste - Polypropylene Fiber Sand

Abstract

This research aims to enhance the flexural strength of cement compacted sand using fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW) and polypropylene fiber (CCFFS). This MSW combustor fly ash is the by-product and is produced during the combustion of municipal solid waste in solid waste combustor facilities. Incineration has overtaken landfill mining as the most important option for disposal of the increasing volumes of MSW generated in Thailand. The research purposes this new green material (CCFFS) and studies its properties which are first peak strength, peak strength, peak strength ratio, toughness, ductility index, equivalent flexural strength and crack behavior. The CCFFS samples were prepared by adding 5% of cement by weight, varying the fly ash replacement to cement ratio of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 by weight, and varied polypropylene fiber of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% by volume. Then all CCFFS samples were cured for 28 days to reach their maximum capacity. From the results, the research recommends the fly ash replacement to cement ratio of 25:75 and the polypropylene fiber of 1.5% by volume showing the maximum flexural strength. The polypropylene fiber under investigation has a non-compact interfacial zone that SEM results in only a partial-contact interfacial surface, making them hydrophobic materials. These need to form a strong enough bond with a higher fiber content to produce a hardening-deflection response. The CCFFS has been proven to be a sustainable construction material. These support Thailand’s future cement demand while lowering the cement industry’s greenhouse gas emissions.