Simultaneous influence of processed cellulose acetate fiber reinforcement and recycled aggregate replacement on mechanical and durability performances of concrete

The poor performance of virgin cement concrete and its significant carbon footprint have prompted researchers to explore the concurrent integration of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) or recycled fine aggregates (RFA) along with fibers. This study aims to investigate the mechanical and durability performance of various cement concrete mixes prepared using 53-grade cement with various percentages (0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%) integration of RCA or RFA and varying volume fractions (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%) of processed Cellulose Acetate Fiber (CAF) derived from waste cigarette filters. RCA50CAF1.5 exhibits highest compressive strength and flexural strength among all RCA based concrete mix. RFA30CAF1.5 possess maximum tensile strength by about 3.45% higher compared to reference mix. The increase in CAF with % replacement of RCA or RFA cause decrease in the short term durability performance of the concrete mix. The developed correlations for mechanical and durability performances can serve as a valuable tool for designing concrete mixes with improved mechanical and durability performances for CAF-reinforced concrete.