High-performance eco-concrete beams with calcined montmorillonite, metakaolin pyrolyzed coffee grounds, and hybrid fibers for enhanced bending strength and microstructural refinement
Amani Abdallah Hepautwa, Askwar Hilonga, Register Mrosso, Tusekile Alfredy, Gabriel Mwalusambo, Fina Lesafi, Yusufu Abeid Chande Jande
TL;DR
This study explores eco-friendly concrete beams using natural and recycled materials to improve strength and sustainability.
Contribution
A novel eco-concrete mix with calcined montmorillonite, pyrolyzed coffee grounds, and hybrid fibers is proposed for enhanced bending strength.
Findings
Beams with CMMT and 1.5% steel fibers showed a 92–105% increase in ultimate load compared to the control.
Mixes with 1.0% banana fibers exhibited the greatest ductility and post-cracking deformation capacity.
Microstructural refinement led to up to 68% higher stiffness and 120% greater energy absorption.
Abstract
This study investigates the flexural performance and microstructural evolution of reinforced concrete beams incorporating calcined montmorillonite (CMMT), metakaolin (MK), pyrolyzed coffee grounds (PCG), and hybrid fibers (steel or banana) as sustainable partial replacements for natural sand and cementitious binders. The replacement levels—12.5% SCM (CMMT or MK) and 15% PCG—were selected based on preliminary optimization trials and evidence from prior studies that identify these ranges as the threshold at which pozzolanic reactivity, workability, and particle packing achieve maximum benefit without compromising matrix integrity. Thirteen mix groups and a control beam were cast and tested under four-point bending, with three replicates per group. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05) confirmed significant differences in peak load, stiffness, ductility, and energy absorption…
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Taxonomy
TopicsNatural Fiber Reinforced Composites · Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials