Stabilization of Concrete Cement Using Ficus elastica Roxb ex Hornem (False Rubber Tree) Latex

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the major issues in infrastructure construction is the development of cracks and decreasing tension resistance in concrete cement at high-stress levels causing the material to weaken (Bald Eagle Construction, 2017). Methods such as concrete reinforcement, aggregate substitution, and admixture addition could be done to improve the concrete's stability. on the other hand, rubber latex from Ficus elastica has no significant use in today's rubber production (Elmer Merill, 1967). This study aimed to create a concrete design mix that can resist breaking at high pressures.

METHODS

Rubber latex was extracted and the design mix was formulated. The concrete mixture was mixed in a mixer. for treatment 1, the mixture was transferred into the greased cylindrical mould. for treatment 2, 50 cm3 of latex was added to the mixture and was transferred into the greased cylindrical mould. for treatment 3, 75 cm3 of latex was added to the mixture. Two trials were done. After the setting of samples, each was de-moulded and cured for 7 days. After curing, the samples underwent compressive strength testing using a compressive and flexural strength machine.

RESULTS

The results of the compressive strength testing for the two trials show that the compressive strengths of the pure concrete design are 3132.61 psi and 2950.75 psi. for the latex-treated concrete, the compressive strengths of the samples of treatment 2 are 2754.00 psi and 2557.32 psi, while the compressive strengths of the samples of treatment 3 are 2439.25 psi and 2300.52 psi. The minimum required stress value for the design mix is 2130 psi, which is equivalent to 71% of 3000 psi. Using One-way ANOVA in statistical analysis, the null hypotheses were rejected.

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that there is a relationship between the compressive strength and the amount of latex added. As the content of latex in the mixture increases, the compressive strength of the sample decreases. The addition of rubber latex to the concrete affected the compressive strength of an ideal concrete sample. It has been shown that the addition of latex makes the concrete less durable, thus decreasing the compressive strength.