Work

Energy-dependent underwater abrasion behavior of sustainable lightweight concrete incorporating agro-waste aggregates and natural fibers under rotational hydraulic conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lightweight aggregate concrete has become a popular material in hydraulic engineering and coastal and offshore engineering, and understanding its durability under underwater rotational abrasion is critical. Comparative studies on the abrasion resistance of several agricultural waste aggregates under high-energy underwater conditions have been conducted for the production of sustainable concrete; however, such studies are still scarce, especially considering the combined effects of rotational speed, abrasion time, aggregate properties, and properties of the interfacial transition zone between the aggregate and cement matrix. This study aims to fill this research gap by comparing conventional concrete with lightweight aggregate concrete using coconut shell, expanded clay aggregate, oil palm shell, and areca nut shell aggregates with natural fibers (hemp, jute, and coir) under underwater rotational abrasion. Abrasion tests were conducted at 1200 rpm and 1600 rpm to investigate the influence of exposure time, abrasion energy, and aggregate nature on the abrasion resistance. Findings indicated that the Abrasion loss increased linearly with exposure time, confirming cumulative mechanical erosion. After 6 h at 1600 rpm, weight loss increased from 461.93 g for conventional concrete to 549.44–698.91 g for lightweight concretes. Wear rate ranged from 23.35–38.80 g/h (1200 rpm) and 55.42–116.49 g/h (1600 rpm), while weight loss ratio varied between 1.78 and 2.60. Among lightweight mixtures, palm oil shell-hemp fiber exhibited the lowest speed sensitivity and the most stable abrasion performance under severe underwater conditions.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-72514-x

Authors: A. Hemanth Kumar, K. Karthikeyan, G. Murali

Institutions: Vellore Institute of Technology University, Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Language: English

Topic: Innovative concrete reinforcement materials

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690