Face Mask Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete With Silica Additives: A State-Of-The-Art Review

Abstract

The special issue emphasizes the unprecedented amount of single-use face mask (FM) waste produced by the 
global pandemic, which brings a great environmental problem that relies on emerging engineering solutions. The 
simultaneous erosion of natural aggregates reserves has expedited considerable curiosity towards recycled 
aggregate (RA) concrete as a inexperienced constructing materials. The present experimental research 
investigates against the mechanical and durability performance of concrete using different dosages (0.5 to 2.0 
kg/m³) of polypropylene face mask fibres, 25–100% recycled coarse aggregates (RCA), 15–50% recycled fine 
aggregates (RFA), and SF at varying levels (5–20% cement replacement). Five concrete mixes including a control 
were designed, cast and tested at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days curing intervals. The mechanical properties tested were 
compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength, while the durability was examined via water 
absorption, chloride ion penetration, carbonation depth and acid attack. Statistical analyses including one-way 
ANOVA, Pearson correlation matrices, and regression modelling validate statistically significant performance 
differences (p < 0.001). The results show that mix M2 (50% coarse RA, 25% fine RA,10% SF and 1.0 kg/m³ FM 
fibres) produced a satisfactory compressive strength of 36.1 MPa at 28 days, which is only 6.2% lower than the 
control, and approximately 54.6 kg/m³ of CO₂ savings. The most importantly compensating additive for the physics 
force reaction caused strength loss in the recycled aggregate systems, apparently identified as silica fume. The 
study proves the technical feasibility and environmental sustainability of a triple-component waste integration in 
structural concrete application.