Scrap carpet fibres could solve an ongoing issue in the construction sector, having been found to make concrete stronger and more crack-resistant
Research team Engineers in Australia has developed a technique to make stronger and crack-resistant concrete with scrap carpet fibres, opening the door for increased sustainability in the construction sector.
Lead researcher Dr Chamila Gunasekara from RMIT University says waste carpet fibres reduced early-age shrinking cracking in concrete by up to 30 per cent.
Gunasekara adds that it also improved the concrete’s durability, presenting a solution to a major challenge in the construction industry.
“Cracking in early-age concrete slabs is a long-standing challenge in construction projects that can cause premature corrosion, not only making a building look bad but also risking its structural integrity and safety,” Gunasekara says.
“Scrap carpet fibres can be used to increase concrete’s strength by 40 per cent in tension and prevent early cracking, by reducing shrinkage substantially.”
Australia’s annual cost of repair for cracks in reinforced concrete structures is approximately $8 billion, according to RMIT University.
The research team aims to address this challenge, and has been able to use other discarded textiles including clothing fabrics to make concrete stronger.
Partnering with Textile Recyclers Australia, Godfrey Hirst Australia and councils in Victoria, field studies are being conducted of on-ground slabs made of reclaimed textiles.
Laboratory concrete samples made from various textile materials have already been shown to meet Australian Standards for engineering performance and environmental requirements.
Another challenge that this research could solve is the detrimental effects of disposing carpets and other textiles including discarded fabrics.
“Australia is the second largest consumer of textiles per person in the world, after the US,” Gunasekara says.
“The average Australian purchases 27kg of new clothing and textiles every year, and discards 23kg into landfill.
“Burning carpet waste releases various toxic gases, creating environmental concerns.”
Field trials conducted will help capture the unexpected conditions encountered in real-world construction projects, RMIT University adds.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news in the earthmoving industry
- Never miss a great deal and subscribe to our monthly magazine
- Download a free copy of our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the earthmoving industry