Optimization and Modelling the Mechanical Performance of Date Palm Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Incorporating Powdered Activation Carbon Using Response Surface Methodology

Musa Adamu; Yasser E Ibrahim; Mahmoud M Abdel Daiem; Hani Alanazi; Oussama Elalaoui; Nageh M Ali

doi:10.3390/ma16082977

Optimization and Modelling the Mechanical Performance of Date Palm Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Incorporating Powdered Activation Carbon Using Response Surface Methodology

Materials (Basel). 2023 Apr 8;16(8):2977. doi: 10.3390/ma16082977.

Authors

Musa Adamu¹, Yasser E Ibrahim¹, Mahmoud M Abdel Daiem^{2

3}, Hani Alanazi⁴, Oussama Elalaoui⁴, Nageh M Ali^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia.
² Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi 11911, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Assiut University, Assiut 71511, Egypt.

Abstract

Date palm fiber (DPF) has been reported to have many advantages when used in concrete, however, its major disadvantage is that it causes a reduction in compressive strength. In this research, powdered activated carbon (PAC) was added to cement in the DPF-reinforced concrete (DPFRC) to lessen the loss in strength. PAC has not been properly utilized as an additive in fiber reinforced concrete even though it has been reported to enhance the properties of cementitious composites. Response surface methodology (RSM) has also been utilized for experimental design, model development, results analysis, and optimization. The variables were DPF and PAC as additions each at proportions of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight of cement. Slump, fresh density, mechanical strengths, and water absorption were the responses that were considered. From the results, both DPF and PAC decreased the workability of the concrete. DPF addition improved the splitting tensile and flexural strengths and reduced the compressive strength, and up to 2 wt% PAC addition enhanced the concrete's strength and lowered the water absorption. The proposed models using RSM were extremely significant and have excellent predictive power for the concrete's aforementioned properties. Each of the models was further validated experimentally and was found to have an average error of less than 5.5%. According to the results of the optimization, the optimal mix of 0.93 wt% DPF and 0.37 wt% PAC as cement additives resulted in the best properties of the DPFRC in terms of workability, strength, and water absorption. The optimization's outcome received a 91% desirability rating. The addition of 1% PAC increased the 28-day compressive strength of the DPFRC containing 0%, 1% and 2% DPF by 9.67%, 11.13% and 5.5% respectively. Similarly, 1% PAC addition enhanced the 28-day split tensile strength of the DPFRC containing 0%, 1% and 2% by 8.54%, 11.08% and 19.3% respectively. Likewise, the 28-day flexural strength of DPFRC containing 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% improved by 8.3%, 11.15%, 18.7% and 6.73% respectively with the addition of 1% PAC. Lastly, 1% PAC addition led to a reduction in the water absorption of DPFRC containing 0% and 1% DPF by 17.93% and 12.2% respectively.

Keywords: date palm fiber; mechanical properties; natural fiber; powdered activated carbon; response surface methodology.

Grants and funding

IFP-2022-28/Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia