Abstract-Cellular concrete blocks are the major building materials in Kurdistan Region in Iraq. This study is carried out to check the economical and structural feasibility. The integrity of the blocks as well as its industrial production process compared with local and international standards. Recommendations for the concrete block production have been given in this paper. Samples from 10 local factories of total 60 blocks have been collected and tested at Koya University Laboratory. The carried out tests covered the dimensions, compression strength and water absorption of the samples. The results of this research study were compared with the requirements of the Iraqi and European specifications. They showed that the products of all factories do not fulfil the specified requirements. The dimensions of specimens exhibited relatively high deviations with no recommended tolerances for dimensions of the blocks. The results analysis showed that the weight of the 400x200x200mm block size was about 20-23 kg and the size of the represented voids was about 60% of the volume. This study made some regulatory recommendations to standardise the concrete block production in the region.
Sustainable concrete production and recycling the construction wastes are of utmost importance for today’s sustainable urban development. In this study, low-density polyethylene waste was recycled in the form of fibers (LDPF) to produce eco-friendly fiber-reinforced sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC). The content of LDPF ranged from 0.5% to 3.5% at a raise of 0.5% of the mix’s volume. The SCC’s features in fresh and hardened states were tested. The slump flow diameter, T500, V-funnel, and L-box ratio were measured for the fresh properties. The compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were tested at the age of 28 days. However, the outcomes indicated that LPDF had some negative effect on the workability features, but all the results of SCC mixtures were within the standard limitations of SCC except that related to the L-box, which satisfied the standards up to 2% of LDPF. However, the incorporation of LDPF enhanced the mechanical properties, especially the flexural strength. The optimum ratio for the LPDF was 2%, which satisfies the required workability and the highest strength with modulus of elasticity. The thermal conductivity decreased with increasing LDPF content in the SCC mixtures.
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