An Australian research team has developed a technique that increases concrete strength by 40% in tension, prevents early cracking, and improves durability using discarded textiles.
Lead researcher Dr Chamila Gunasekara said the new technique also reduces early-age shrinkage cracking in concrete by up to 30%. His RMIT engineering team is collaborating with Textile Recyclers Australia, Godfrey Hirst Australia, and councils in Victoria, using waste carpet fibres and discarded clothing materials in field studies of on-ground slabs.
Results published in the Construction and Building Materials journal show that waste carpet material and clothing fibres can be used to improve concrete, addressing the cost of repair for cracks in reinforced concrete structures which is about $8 billion annually in Australia.
Concrete samples from the RMIT laboratory have shown to meet Australian Standards for engineering performance and environmental requirements.
“Scrap carpet fibres can be used to increase concrete’s strength by 40% in tension and prevent early cracking, by reducing shrinkage substantially,” Dr Gunasekara said.
“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.”
Australia is the second largest consumer of textiles per person in the world, after the US. The average Australian purchases 27kg of new clothing and textiles every year, and discards 23kg into landfill, the team said. Burning carpet waste releases various toxic gases while firefighting gear is difficult to recycle. Up to 70% of textile waste would be suitable for conversion into usable fibres, presenting an opportunity in the materials supply chain, according to the RMIT researchers.
Image: The RMIT researchers with Dr Gunesekara on the right.
Waste textiles improve concrete
An Australian research team has developed a technique that increases concrete strength by 40% in tension, prevents early cracking, and improves durability using discarded textiles.
Lead researcher Dr Chamila Gunasekara said the new technique also reduces early-age shrinkage cracking in concrete by up to 30%. His RMIT engineering team is collaborating with Textile Recyclers Australia, Godfrey Hirst Australia, and councils in Victoria, using waste carpet fibres and discarded clothing materials in field studies of on-ground slabs.
Results published in the Construction and Building Materials journal show that waste carpet material and clothing fibres can be used to improve concrete, addressing the cost of repair for cracks in reinforced concrete structures which is about $8 billion annually in Australia.
Concrete samples from the RMIT laboratory have shown to meet Australian Standards for engineering performance and environmental requirements.
“Scrap carpet fibres can be used to increase concrete’s strength by 40% in tension and prevent early cracking, by reducing shrinkage substantially,” Dr Gunasekara said.
“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.”
Australia is the second largest consumer of textiles per person in the world, after the US. The average Australian purchases 27kg of new clothing and textiles every year, and discards 23kg into landfill, the team said. Burning carpet waste releases various toxic gases while firefighting gear is difficult to recycle. Up to 70% of textile waste would be suitable for conversion into usable fibres, presenting an opportunity in the materials supply chain, according to the RMIT researchers.
Image: The RMIT researchers with Dr Gunesekara on the right.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia and at the helm of our magazine for 8 years. She was behind the Institute's weekly news bulletins from 2016-2021 and is now writing our focused news items. Desi has been an engineering news and features journalist/editor across all disciplines since 2013 - part of a 30-year career writing for a wide range of industries.