Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(6), pp. 4099 - 4111
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130601
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Analytical and Finite Element Characterisation of a Randomly Reinforced Recyclable Composite for Reinforcing Aged Concrete Slabs

Sofiene Helaili ^1,2,*, Yosra Zaouali ³, Moez Chafra ^4,5
1 Tunisia Polytechnic School, Carthage University, LASMAP (LR03ES06), Rue El-Khawarizmi, BP 743, 2078, La Marsa, Tunisia
² ISTEUB, Carthage University, 2 Rue de l'Artisanat Charguia 2, 2035, Tunis, Tunisia
³ IMECA-SARL R&D, Tunis, Tunisia
⁴ Tunis EL Manar University, Campus Universitaire, B. P 244, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
⁵ Matériaux, Optimisation et Energie pour la Durabilité (LR-MOED-ENIT), Tunis EL Manar University, Campus Universitaire, BP 244, Tunis 2092, Tunisia

ABSTRACT

Using fibers generally necessitates sorting and, in some cases, chemical treatments, which raises manufacturing costs and has a negative impact on the environment. This problem is solved by using a random distribution of short, disorganized fibers. To use randomly dispersed short natural fibers, the mechanical properties of the randomly reinforced composite must be estimated. Two analytical models and one finite element model were used to analyze composites reinforced with short fibers. Calcium Carbonate Precipitate (CaCO₃) and PolyVinyl Chloride (C₂H₄Cl)n composites are being investigated as potential applications in the building industry reinforcement. The CCP improves recyclability while lowering petrochemical and energy consumption during production, thereby lowering the carbon footprint. The Mori-Tanaka model, the Halpin-Tsai model, and a finite element technique model were used to investigate the effects of distribution on the mechanical properties of the composite. The first is the effect of fiber volume fraction on the elastic mechanical properties of the composite. Elastic moduli increased by 97 percent for the Mori-Tanaka model, 101 percent for the Halpin-Tsai model, and 74 percent for the finite element technique model, as fiber content increased from 9 to 45 percent. The second factor is the impact of fiber orientation on a specific volume fraction. In comparison to a composite with uniform fiber concentration across all orientations, the elastic characteristics vary by 15.56 percent when the fiber concentration in each orientation is changed. This finding implies that the random distribution of fibers has no discernible effect on mechanical properties. The length of the fiber changes the stiffness by approximately 6.64 percent, depending on the concentration. This stiffness fluctuation is observed until the fiber's aspect ratio reaches 100; the rise becomes negligible after that. The fund mechanical properties were injected into a slab flexion finite element model to simulate the deformation of the un-reinforced and reinforced concrete slab with recyclable composites. The deflexion of the slab is reduced, and concrete slabs can be reinforced with sur composites.

KEYWORDS
Halpin-Tsai, Mechanical Properties, Mori-Tanaka, Recyclability, Slab Aging Reinforcement

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Sofiene Helaili , Yosra Zaouali , Moez Chafra , "Analytical and Finite Element Characterisation of a Randomly Reinforced Recyclable Composite for Reinforcing Aged Concrete Slabs," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 4099 - 4111, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130601.

(b). APA Format:
Sofiene Helaili , Yosra Zaouali , Moez Chafra (2025). Analytical and Finite Element Characterisation of a Randomly Reinforced Recyclable Composite for Reinforcing Aged Concrete Slabs. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(6), 4099 - 4111. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130601.