Utilization of recycled carpet waste fibers for reinforcement of concrete and soil

The use of recycled fibers from textile waste for concrete and soil reinforcement is a very attractive approach, with such benefits as performance enhancement, low-cost raw materials, and reduced needs for landfilling. This article discusses the general advantages of fiber reinforcement and reviews some studies on the use of carpet waste fibers for concrete and soil reinforcement. A study on recycled carpet waste fibers for fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) showed a significant toughness in crease and reduced shrinkage, It included two concrete mix designs and a wide range of fiber dosage rates, from 0.07 to 2.0 vol.%. A research program on fiber-reinforced soil is underway for fiber characterization, analysis of the engineering properties of the fiber-soil systems, and field trials, A significant improvement in soil behavior under the triaxial loading condition was observed.