Environment
S. O. Odeyemi; R. Abdulwahab; M. A. Akinpelu; R. Afolabi; O. D. Atoyebi
Abstract
The rising cost of concrete production due to the global recession in world economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the greenhouse gases emitted in the production of cement has necessitated the need for alternative materials for cement. In this study, bamboo strips and steel rebars were used as reinforcements ...
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The rising cost of concrete production due to the global recession in world economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the greenhouse gases emitted in the production of cement has necessitated the need for alternative materials for cement. In this study, bamboo strips and steel rebars were used as reinforcements in a ternary blended concrete to determine their strength properties. In alignment with standard requirements for testing, concrete specimens were tested at curing ages of 7, 14 and 28 days for compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths. The morphological and bond characteristics of the bamboo were determined through the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively; while its tensile strength was determined and compared with that of steel reinforcement. These results showed that bamboo is ductile and has stretching vibrational spectrum. The combinations of quarry dust, river sand, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Guinea Corn Husk Ash (GCHA) yielded compressive and split tensile strengths of 20.4 N/mm2 and 2.18 N/mm2, respectively. Concrete with 50 % river sand and 50 % quarry dust performed better in flexure for both Bamboo Reinforced Concrete (BRC) and Steel Reinforced Concrete (SRC) at 28 days with strengths of 12.75 N/mm2 and 22.49 N/mm2, respectively. Therefore, bamboo, quarry dust, rice husk and guinea corn husk ash can be used for reinforced concrete production.
O. O. Obiukwu; J. Igboekwe
Abstract
Fibre content effects on mechanical, surface morphology and chemical resistance of epoxy/rattan fibre composite was investigated. By analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and chemical examinations. SEM shows the rattan fibre had improved facial adhesion and a fairly uniform distribution ...
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Fibre content effects on mechanical, surface morphology and chemical resistance of epoxy/rattan fibre composite was investigated. By analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and chemical examinations. SEM shows the rattan fibre had improved facial adhesion and a fairly uniform distribution of fibre in the matrix. Similar result were observed for flexural and tensile strengths with gradual increase in strengths with filler loading. Mechanical properties improved with increasing fibre loading, peaking at 25 wt % content. The best tensile and impact strength was obtained at 25 wt % filler with a value of 19.271Mpa and 18.876 J/m. There was a 4.48 % increase in hardness obtained at 15 wt %, 6.55 % increase in hardness at 20 wt. %, while 7.46 % increase in hardness was obtained at 25 wt % representing the highest hardness for individual fibre wt % considered. The flexural strength obtained for the samples presented increased as fibre content increased, while the best flexural strength result of 27.542 Mpa was observed at 25 wt. % fibre. The rattan - epoxy composite’s weight reduced greatly after testing in 10% HCl, NaOCl, and NaOH solution. Theresult for immersing in H2O2 solution showed negligible effects and hence, a small reduction in weight loss.
