Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera
<b>Objectives:</b> This study aims to evaluate the potential of lightweight concrete mixtures incorporating sustainable materials, such as nopal mucilage and aloe vera, to enhance thermal and structural performance while promoting eco-friendly construction practices. The objective is to...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Eng |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/1/1 |
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| author | Daniel Mendoza-Goden Rocio Rafaela Gallegos-Villela Pedro Flores-Becerra Josue Francisco Perez-Sanchez Edgardo Jonathan Suarez-Dominguez Arturo Palacio-Perez |
| author_facet | Daniel Mendoza-Goden Rocio Rafaela Gallegos-Villela Pedro Flores-Becerra Josue Francisco Perez-Sanchez Edgardo Jonathan Suarez-Dominguez Arturo Palacio-Perez |
| author_sort | Daniel Mendoza-Goden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Objectives:</b> This study aims to evaluate the potential of lightweight concrete mixtures incorporating sustainable materials, such as nopal mucilage and aloe vera, to enhance thermal and structural performance while promoting eco-friendly construction practices. The objective is to analyze their effects on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties to optimize mixture design. <b>Methods/Analysis:</b> Six lightweight concrete mixtures were prepared using varying dosages of tuff, expanded clay, nopal mucilage, and aloe vera as lightweight and stabilizing agents. To assess their performance, a series of physical tests (bulk density, water absorption, and slump), mechanical tests (compressive strength), and thermal characterizations (conductivity, heat capacity, and resistivity) were conducted. Fractal analysis was employed to evaluate the structural complexity of the mixtures. <b>Findings:</b> The results revealed significant differences based on the materials used. Mixtures with aloe vera exhibited extreme water absorption (up to 11.472%) and varying consistency, from fluid (“spreads”) with tuff to workable with expanded clay. When combined with expanded clay, Nopal mucilage-based mixtures showed lower workability but higher compressive strengths (up to 11.447 MPa). Expanded clay increased bulk density and enhanced thermal efficiency, with mixtures incorporating aloe vera or nopal mucilage demonstrating high heat retention and structural complexity. The compressive strengths ranged from 7.343 MPa (aloe vera-tuff) to 12.207 MPa (water-tuff), highlighting the impact of stabilizing agents on mechanical performance. <b>Novelty or Improvement:</b> This study introduces a novel evaluation of lightweight concrete mixtures using nopal mucilage and aloe vera, focusing on their synergistic effects with lightweight aggregates such as tuff and expanded clay. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing eco-friendly concrete mixtures with improved thermal retention, workability, and mechanical properties, offering a sustainable alternative for modern construction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a661e3c71ca4561b79ee4a2cb95ed02 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-4117 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Eng |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a661e3c71ca4561b79ee4a2cb95ed022025-01-24T13:31:32ZengMDPI AGEng2673-41172024-12-0161110.3390/eng6010001Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe VeraDaniel Mendoza-Goden0Rocio Rafaela Gallegos-Villela1Pedro Flores-Becerra2Josue Francisco Perez-Sanchez3Edgardo Jonathan Suarez-Dominguez4Arturo Palacio-Perez5Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Centro Universitario Sur, Tampico 89337, Tamaulipas, MexicoFacultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Centro Universitario Sur, Tampico 89337, Tamaulipas, MexicoFacultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Centro Universitario Sur, Tampico 89337, Tamaulipas, MexicoFacultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Centro Universitario Sur, Tampico 89337, Tamaulipas, MexicoFacultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Centro Universitario Sur, Tampico 89337, Tamaulipas, MexicoInstituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico<b>Objectives:</b> This study aims to evaluate the potential of lightweight concrete mixtures incorporating sustainable materials, such as nopal mucilage and aloe vera, to enhance thermal and structural performance while promoting eco-friendly construction practices. The objective is to analyze their effects on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties to optimize mixture design. <b>Methods/Analysis:</b> Six lightweight concrete mixtures were prepared using varying dosages of tuff, expanded clay, nopal mucilage, and aloe vera as lightweight and stabilizing agents. To assess their performance, a series of physical tests (bulk density, water absorption, and slump), mechanical tests (compressive strength), and thermal characterizations (conductivity, heat capacity, and resistivity) were conducted. Fractal analysis was employed to evaluate the structural complexity of the mixtures. <b>Findings:</b> The results revealed significant differences based on the materials used. Mixtures with aloe vera exhibited extreme water absorption (up to 11.472%) and varying consistency, from fluid (“spreads”) with tuff to workable with expanded clay. When combined with expanded clay, Nopal mucilage-based mixtures showed lower workability but higher compressive strengths (up to 11.447 MPa). Expanded clay increased bulk density and enhanced thermal efficiency, with mixtures incorporating aloe vera or nopal mucilage demonstrating high heat retention and structural complexity. The compressive strengths ranged from 7.343 MPa (aloe vera-tuff) to 12.207 MPa (water-tuff), highlighting the impact of stabilizing agents on mechanical performance. <b>Novelty or Improvement:</b> This study introduces a novel evaluation of lightweight concrete mixtures using nopal mucilage and aloe vera, focusing on their synergistic effects with lightweight aggregates such as tuff and expanded clay. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing eco-friendly concrete mixtures with improved thermal retention, workability, and mechanical properties, offering a sustainable alternative for modern construction.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/1/1lightweight concretesustainable materialsthermal analysismechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Mendoza-Goden Rocio Rafaela Gallegos-Villela Pedro Flores-Becerra Josue Francisco Perez-Sanchez Edgardo Jonathan Suarez-Dominguez Arturo Palacio-Perez Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera Eng lightweight concrete sustainable materials thermal analysis mechanical properties |
| title | Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera |
| title_full | Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera |
| title_short | Evaluation of Expanded Clay and Tuff as Lightweight Agents in Concrete Stabilized with Nopal Mucilage and Aloe Vera |
| title_sort | evaluation of expanded clay and tuff as lightweight agents in concrete stabilized with nopal mucilage and aloe vera |
| topic | lightweight concrete sustainable materials thermal analysis mechanical properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/1/1 |
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