High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product
This paper investigates the effects of nanoparticles and fibers on the durability and microstructural properties of mortar and concrete, aiming to create a high-performance railway sleeper product as an alternative sustainable material in the market. In the Phase 1, the main objective is to evaluate...
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Sustainable Development Press Limited
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Structures |
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| author | Radhika Sridhar Satjapan Leelatanon Monthian Setkit Thanongsak Imjai Elhem Ghorbel Boksun Kim |
| author_facet | Radhika Sridhar Satjapan Leelatanon Monthian Setkit Thanongsak Imjai Elhem Ghorbel Boksun Kim |
| author_sort | Radhika Sridhar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper investigates the effects of nanoparticles and fibers on the durability and microstructural properties of mortar and concrete, aiming to create a high-performance railway sleeper product as an alternative sustainable material in the market. In the Phase 1, the main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticles, such as nano alumina (NA) and nano silica (NS), at 1%, 3%, and 5% additions, along with rice husk ash (RHA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in terms of strength and durability performance. To further enhance structural integrity, the study incorporates fibers such as polypropylene fiber (PPF) and polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA) at a constant volume fraction of 0.5%. The hybridization of NA and NS with PPF and PVA fibers was developed and analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) analysis. The mechanical property tests revealed that hybrid nanoparticles enhanced compressive strength by 15% compared to control and mono nanoparticle composites. Durability tests, including water absorption, rapid chloride penetration, and water penetration, showed that adding 5% hybrid nanoparticles and 0.5% fibers resulted in high strength (17.81%) and significant pre refinement. In Phase 2, a proof-of-concept green railway sleeper was developed using 100% recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and the hybrid fibers from Phase 1, demonstrating enhanced mechanical properties and durability. Additionally, finite element crack analysis using Abaqus® software provided an in-depth understanding of sleeper performance, revealing improved crack resistance under operational fatigue loading and reduced maintenance costs. This innovative approach showcases a sustainable product with superior performance, addressing both environmental and structural challenges in railway infrastructure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5185d6585b1e4acd8a3dcb9a6ba257f6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2789-3111 2789-312X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Sustainable Development Press Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Structures |
| spelling | doaj-art-5185d6585b1e4acd8a3dcb9a6ba257f62025-02-09T04:51:23ZengSustainable Development Press LimitedSustainable Structures2789-31112789-312X2025-03-015110.54113/j.sust.2025.000066High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper productRadhika Sridhar0Satjapan Leelatanon1Monthian Setkit2Thanongsak Imjai3Elhem Ghorbel4Boksun Kim5School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat 80161, ThailandUniversity of Cergy Pontoise, 5 Mail Gay Lussac, Neuville, Oise, 95031, FranceSchool of Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UKThis paper investigates the effects of nanoparticles and fibers on the durability and microstructural properties of mortar and concrete, aiming to create a high-performance railway sleeper product as an alternative sustainable material in the market. In the Phase 1, the main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticles, such as nano alumina (NA) and nano silica (NS), at 1%, 3%, and 5% additions, along with rice husk ash (RHA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in terms of strength and durability performance. To further enhance structural integrity, the study incorporates fibers such as polypropylene fiber (PPF) and polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA) at a constant volume fraction of 0.5%. The hybridization of NA and NS with PPF and PVA fibers was developed and analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) analysis. The mechanical property tests revealed that hybrid nanoparticles enhanced compressive strength by 15% compared to control and mono nanoparticle composites. Durability tests, including water absorption, rapid chloride penetration, and water penetration, showed that adding 5% hybrid nanoparticles and 0.5% fibers resulted in high strength (17.81%) and significant pre refinement. In Phase 2, a proof-of-concept green railway sleeper was developed using 100% recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and the hybrid fibers from Phase 1, demonstrating enhanced mechanical properties and durability. Additionally, finite element crack analysis using Abaqus® software provided an in-depth understanding of sleeper performance, revealing improved crack resistance under operational fatigue loading and reduced maintenance costs. This innovative approach showcases a sustainable product with superior performance, addressing both environmental and structural challenges in railway infrastructure.recycled aggregate concreterailway sleepernanoparticlepolypropylenepolyvinyl alcoholfiber-reinforced polymerhybrid fibersgreen materialsfiber reinforced concrete |
| spellingShingle | Radhika Sridhar Satjapan Leelatanon Monthian Setkit Thanongsak Imjai Elhem Ghorbel Boksun Kim High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product Sustainable Structures recycled aggregate concrete railway sleeper nanoparticle polypropylene polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid fibers green materials fiber reinforced concrete |
| title | High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product |
| title_full | High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product |
| title_fullStr | High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product |
| title_full_unstemmed | High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product |
| title_short | High performance synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles: A proof-of-concept green railway sleeper product |
| title_sort | high performance synthetic fiber reinforced concrete mixed with nanoparticles a proof of concept green railway sleeper product |
| topic | recycled aggregate concrete railway sleeper nanoparticle polypropylene polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid fibers green materials fiber reinforced concrete |
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