REINFORCEMENT OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES USING SPONGE GOURD AND DWARF PALMETTO FIBRES

ATTENTION:

BEFORE YOU READ THE ABSTRACT OR CHAPTER ONE OF THE PROJECT TOPICS BELOW, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.THANK YOU!

INFORMATION:

YOU CAN GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT OF THE TOPIC BELOW. THE FULL PROJECT COST N5,000 ONLY. THE FULL INFORMATION ON HOW TO PAY AND GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. OR

YOU CAN CALL: 08068231953, 08137701720

WHATSAPP US ON: 08137701720

REINFORCEMENT OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES USING SPONGE GOURD AND DWARF PALMETTO FIBRES

ABSTRACT

The crave for a sustainable green environment and yearning for lightweight structures in society today have prompted engineers to seek more alternative materials to reduce the negative sides of concrete structures. Often time, composite materials or fibers are incorporated into the concrete matrix to give better performance. In this regard, the fiber enhances the concrete aggregates against stresses. This study assessed the performance of Luffa aegyptiaca (sponge gourd), a natural fiber as a polymer reinforcement in concrete for better operation. Different layering arrangements were adopted (lamina, mesh, longitudinal, and disperse) to get the best fit. The

compressive strength test, as well as the flexural strength test, among other tests carried out, indicated that laying the fiber longitudinally in the concrete matrix can give better performance in strength. The average compressive and flexural strength of 25.8 MPa and 10.2 MPa respectively are recorded for the longitudinal arrangement, which stands as the highest strength. The fiber can work well in improving concrete spalling. An extended study on the mechanical properties of the Luffa aegyptiaca to ascertain its performance is therefore recommended.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The development of science and technology has shaped a need to develop engineering materials with lightweight, high strength with specific properties per service requirement at low cost and minimum energy consumption. Many composites used today are at the leading edge of materials technology; their use has been extended to advanced applications such as aircraft and aerospace structures. The idea of composite materials, however, has been existing for thousands of years. In early civilization, natural polymers were mixed with inorganic materials to achieve high strength composite materials used for construction. The Ancient Egyptians used the chopped straw to reinforce with mud bricks, Mongol warriors used a composite consisting of Bullock tendon, horn, bamboo strips, silk, and pine resin to produce Highperformance archery bows. Albumen, rice, and blood were used to produce mortal, and glutinous paste from the rice was adopted for the great wall of China [1-3]. Since the early 1960s, there has been an increase in the demand for stronger, stiffer, and more lightweight materials for use in the aerospace, transportation, and construction industries. High-performance demands on engineering materials have led to the extensive research and development of new and better materials [4]. Composite materials used for structural purposes often have low densities, resulting in high stiffness to weight and high strength to weight ratios when compared to the traditional engineering materials. Besides, the high fatigue strength to weight ratio and fatigue damage tolerance of many composites also makes them an attractive option [5]. Concrete is one of the engineering materials widely adopted for building and constructing infrastructures such as bridges, buildings, silos, among others, owing to its ease handling to form different shapes and the low cost it offers. However, as a result of its nonlinear behavior, concrete possess some demerits such as (a) pore voids, which are the entrance point for liquids, gases, and chemically aggressive elements and saltwater which cause concrete deterioration; (b) its coarseness characteristic undermines its performance during high abrasion, which results in fatigue; (c) poor resistance to fire. An alternative remedy for such troubles is to incorporate polymer materials into the concrete. Polymer materials have mineral aggregates with good binding, durable, and elastic. The integration of synthetic fiber is appreciated to produce cheaper and flexible materials [6, 7]. In polymer concrete, there exist the resin that binds the inorganic aggregate rather than the water to cement binder used in the Portland cement concrete. The focus of the research is on the development of concrete with the embedment of Luffa aegyptiaca fibers in different arrangements and multiple layers for both compressive strength and flexural strength tests. It is a rapidly developing material with the attractive advantages of low density and cost compared to metals and other forms of fiber reinforcements. However, reinforcements are still needed to provide additional strength for concrete. The combination of these materials with properties different from the individual characteristics is produced. The constituent materials contained concrete and luffa fiber as reinforcement. The primary phase of composite materials is the concrete matrix phase, which is usually more ductile and less hard as well as holds the reinforcing phase normally stronger than the concrete matrix and transfer stresses between the reinforcements. Most of the natural Luffa aegyptiaca fibers found today around the tropics are lignocellulosic in nature. Luffa acutangular and Luffa aegyptiaca (Figure 1), are the two major species grown and harvested as vegetables in Asia and Africa. Luffa grows straight arrow, curved, and grows about 200 mm in length [8,9]. Luffa family has found several uses such as edibles present in the market [10], as bath sponges, filler materials for production of composites, materials of adsorption in water treatments, for discoloration of reagent, extraction of harmful chemical and biological compounds, in the cosmetics industries among others [11]. In the present scenario, natural fibers have excellent potential to reduce not only CO2 emissions but also save non-renewable resources by substituting artificial fiber reinforcements in composites.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Traditionally, glass fibers and wool have been extensively used as building insulation material and reinforcement in the auto sector thermoplastics. Natural fibers are being explored more extensively by research institutions and automobile companies as environmentally friendly. Most of the best fibers being studied are obtained from naturally growing plants of flax, kenaf, sisal, and hemp. Flax, sisal, and hemp are processed into door cladding, seatback linings, and floor panels. Coconut fiber is used to make seat bottoms, back cushions, and head restraints, while cotton is used to provide soundproofing, and wood fiber is used in seatback cushions [12].

composite matrix, workability, and constituency of the mix were better than the ordinary cement paste. Moreover, a limited deflection hardening behavior was observed. Luffa fiber has also been used to modify polystyrene matrix.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To understand the importance of reinforcement of asphalt concrete mixture with sponge gourd
To understand the importance of reinforcement of asphalt concrete mixture with dwarf palmetto fibres

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What is the importance of reinforcement of asphalt concrete mixture with sponge gourd
What is the importance of reinforcement of asphalt concrete mixture with dwarf palmetto fibres

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This information from this research will provide better source of reference for future researchers

HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERICAL(S)

After paying the appropriate amount (#5,000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to

08068231953 or 08168759420

(1) Your project topics

(2) Email Address

(3) Payment Name

(4) Teller Number

We will send your material(s) after we receive bank alert

BANK ACCOUNTS

Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI