Enhanced compressive strength behavior of modified cement paste reinforced with bio-based additives and dendritic fibro nano silica under controlled dispersion conditions

Abstract

For many years, eco-friendly concrete composed of repurposed organic waste has been widely used due to its sustainability and reduced environmental impact. This cutting-edge method seeks to reduce environmental pollution while encouraging sustainable organic waste management practices. Despite these benefits, studies on the structural performance of lightweight concrete reinforced with spirulina algae-infused dendritic fibro nano silica (spirulina@DFNS) under various boundary conditions are still scarce. This research explored the impact behavior of lightweight concrete slabs when natural aggregate was fully substituted with spirulina@DFNS. To analyze structural performance, a series of low-velocity impact tests were carried out, and response surface analysis was applied to interpret crack development and resistance under different loading conditions. The results indicated that incorporating spirulina@DFNS enhanced the material's ability to absorb impact energy and resist crack propagation. However, its effect on limiting crack dimensions was minimal, and no significant gains in residual strength were observed. Despite these limitations, the study highlights both the challenges and the potential advantages of using spirulina@DFNS in fiber-reinforced concrete structures designed for impact resistance.