Use of Sisal Fiber and construction and demolition waste in concrete block production in Tanzania

Abstract

Sisal Fibre (SF)are natural (biological) and locally available materials in Tanzania. This materials have been also acknowledged to be used in concrete technology. However, most of existing studies in concrete technology are focused on beam, soil, and composite reinforcement and all have focused on tension. Thus, knowledge on use of SF on improving compressive strength of building materials like concrete blocks especially those recycled from construction and demolition (C&D) waste is still limited. This study aimed at investigating the extent to which the SF can be applied in concrete mix and their effects on the production of concrete blocks that use recycled C&D waste in order to meet structural and durability requirements according to Tanzanian standards. SF was physically and chemically tested and analysed in the laboratory to investigate its quality prior to using it in building material production processes. Then, the produced building materials, such as concrete blocks from recycled C&D waste were tested and analysed following standard methods. The results showed that SF had cementations properties which can contribute to hydration process and therefore improve the quality of the concrete produced like those produced from recycled aggregates. Further results showed that SF have ability to enhance the quality of the recycled concrete blocks that were produced using 100% recycled aggregates from C&D waste to meet the load bearing requirements in the Tanzanian construction industry. Therefore, SF can be used as an additive material for improving the quality of concrete blocks produced from C&D waste rather than relying on imported and synthetic additives like super-plasticizer admixtures which put quite some strain on the country’s economic situation. However, further research is needed to investigate the impact of organic composition present to the SF in the produced concrete products.

Keywords: SF, C&D waste, concrete blocks, recycling, quality