“The Effect of Waste Cigarette Filter Fibers as an Admixture to Concrete’s

Durability”

Abstract

Concrete durability is the ability of concrete to withstand weathering action and chemical
attack, while preserving the desired engineering properties which makes it a vital indicator of
structure’s life span. In line with this, the aim of this study is to use the fiber from cigarette filter as
an admixture to concrete and examine the effect of this material to the durability of the concrete
cylinder. Fibers such as cellulose acetates are used in concrete to control cracking due to plastic
shrinkage and to drying shrinkage. They also reduce the permeability of concrete and thus reduce
bleeding of water. Some types of fibers produce greater impact, abrasion and shatter–resistance
in concrete (Gupta, 2010). According to Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey on 2009, about
17.3 million Filipinos aged 15 years and older are smokers which means that there also about
17.3 million cigarette butts in the Philippines. About 98% of cigarette butts are made from fibrous
material called cellulose acetate which is a type of microfiber admixture.

Keywords: Durability; Permeability; Fiber; Admixture; Cellulose Acetate; Cigarette Filter

Introduction

For a long period of time, concrete provided a significant role in building a variety of
engineering infrastructures and roadworks in construction industry such as bridges, channels,
dams, docks, pavements, and piers. Considering to be the foundation of a country’s economy,
these structures demands to be conserved in such manner that its structural properties are
maintained and secured such as its durability.

The durability of concrete is necessary with regard to a structure’s lifespan; aiding the
conservation of natural resources and reducing environmental wastes. Durability is the ability of
a concrete to resist weathering action, abrasion and chemical attack in order to last for a long
time while maintaining the desired engineering properties.
 Several factors that are related to concrete’s durability, some of which are water and
chloride exposure, determines the required procedures to test a concrete’s durability such as
water sorptivity, rapid chloride ion penetration, and water penetration test.
In respect to these tests, one of resourceful and effectual ways used to increase the
durability of concrete is to added fibers to concrete to control cracking due to plastic shrinkage, to
reduce permeability, and bleeding of water.

In this design experiment, a fibers from waste cigarette filter was incorporated in a
concrete mixture to test its effectiveness in decreasing the permeability against water and in
increasing the resistance against chloride ion. Concrete samples were subjected to water
sorptivity, rapid chloride ion penetration, and water penetration test after several days of curing.

 To calculate the permeability of concrete under hydrostatic pressure, rate of

absorption, and resistance to chloride ion penetration of concrete cylinder with the use
of waste cigarette filter fiber as an admixture at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing.

 To describe the effect of waste cigarette filter fiber to the durability of concrete.

 To determine the durability performance of conventional concrete compared to

concrete incorporated with waste cigarette filter fiber.

 To determine the percent value of waste cigarette filter fibers as an admixture that
would give the highest durability performance of concrete.

Finally, test results are shown in the tables and diagrams in this experiment to prepare and
to compare the rate of absorption, chloride ion penetration, and depth of water penetration of
concrete samples with added 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% cigarette filter fiber to control samples.

Materials and Methods

Waste Cigarette Filter Fiber

Waste cigarette filters were directly collected from separated trash bins designated in
Barangay Loma De Gato in Marilao, Bulacan, Nagpayong, Sta.Mesa, Manila, San Andres Bukid
in Manila, and around the vicinity of Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila. The paper
covering of WCFF were peeled off to remove external and excess dirt then it was cut into two.
Since toxins WCFF were soluble in water, it was initially cleansed through running water then
soaked into hydrogen peroxide solution and bleaching solution (sodium hydroxide and sodium
hypochlorite solution). The WCFF was sun dried before it was placed inside the laboratory oven
for 24 hrs.

Durability Tests

Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes:

ASTM C1585 – 04
 Place test specimens in the environmental.
 After the 3 days, place each specimen inside a sealable container.
 Remove the specimen from the storage container and record the mass of the conditioned
specimen to the nearest 0.01 g before sealing of side surfaces.
 Measure at least four diameters of the specimen at the surface to be exposed to water.
 Seal the side surface of each specimen with a suitable sealing material.
 Conduct the absorption procedure.
 Measure the mass of the sealed specimen.
 Place the support device at the bottom of the pan and fill the pan with tap water.
 Start the timing device and immediately place the test surface of the specimen on the
support device.
 Record the mass at the intervals after first contact with water.
 For each mass determination, remove the test specimen from the pan, stop the timing
device if the contact time is less than 10 min, and blot off any surface water with a
dampened paper towel or cloth.

where:
I = the absoprtion
mt = the change in mass in grams at the time t
a = the area exposed of the specimen in mm2
d = the density of the water in g/mm3
 Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration:
ASTM C1202 – 12
 Prepare approximately 10 g of rapid setting coating and brush onto the sample’s side.
 The coating should be allowed to cure until it is no longer sticky to the touch.
 Fill separator funnel or other container with the de-aerated water prepared.
 Close water stopcock and allow vacuum pump to run for one additional hour.
 Remove specimen from water, blot off excess water, and transfer specimen to a sealed
can or other container.
 Specimen mounting (rubber gasket alternative).
 Fill the side of the cell containing the top surface of the specimen with 3.0 % NaCl
solution. Fill the other side of the cell (which will be connected to the positive terminal of
the power supply) with 0.3 N NaOH solution.
 Attach lead wires to cell banana posts. Turn power supply on, set to 60.0 6 0.1 V, and
record initial current reading.
 During the test, the air temperature around the specimens shall be maintained in the
range of 20 to 25 °C.
 Read and record current at least every 30 min. Each half of the test cell must remain
filled with the appropriate solution for the entire period of the test.
 Terminate test after 6 h.
 Remove specimen. Rinse cell thoroughly in tap water; strip out and discard residual
sealant.

where:
Q = charge passed (coulombs)
I0 = current (amperes) immediately after the voltage is applied
It = current (amperes) at t min after the voltage is applied
 Depth of penetration of water under pressure:
BS EN 12390-8
 Immediately after the specimen is demolded, roughen the surface to be exposed to
water pressure.
 The test shall be started when the specimen is at least 28 days old.
 Place the specimen in the apparatus and apply a water pressure of (500 ± 50) kPa for
(72 ± 2) h.
 During the test, periodically observe the appearance of the surfaces of the test specimen
not exposed to the water pressure to note the presence of water.
 After the pressure has been applied for the specified time, remove the specimen from
the apparatus. Wipe the face on which the water pressure was applied to remove excess
water.
 Split the specimen in half, perpendicularly to the face on which the water pressure was
applied.
 When splitting the specimen, and during the examination, place the face of the specimen
exposed to the water pressure on the bottom.
 Measure the maximum depth of penetration under the test area and record it to the
nearest mm.
 The maximum depth of penetration, expressed in mm, is the test result.
 Results

Table 1.13 shows that after 28 days of curing, the minimum water absorption can be
achieved in 2.0 % of the fiber added with an decrease of 9.844% of its absorption with respect to
the control specimen while a decrease of 4.922% in the 1.0 % added fiber and 6.363 % in 1.5 %
added fiber. It also shows that the water absorption of concrete samples continues to decrease
in each mix design with respect to the number of curing days. Chart 1.2 summarize and analyze
the overall average of water absorption of the concrete cylinder with the use of different
percentage value of waste cigarette filter fiber as an admixture. With respect to the durability tests,
it shows that the lowest permeability can be achieve on the percent value of 2.0%. Table 1.14
shows that there is a minimal decrease in the amount of charge passed after several days of
curing. In 28 days, the minimum amount of charge passed can be achieved in 2.0% of the fiber
added with a decrease of 9.162% of its ability to resist chloride ion penetration with respect to the
control specimen while a decrease of 2.269% in the 1.0 % added fiber and 5.148% in 1.5% added
fiber. It also shows that the amount of charged passed were decreased as the amount of WCFF
increase with respect to the number of curing days. Chart 1.3 summarize and analyze the overall
average of amount of charge passed of the concrete cylinder with the use of different percentage
value of waste cigarette filter fiber as an admixture. With respect to the durability tests, it shows
that the lowest permeability can be achieve on the percent value of 2.0%. Table 1.15 shows that
there is a significant decrease in the depth of water penetration after several days of curing. In 28
days, the minimum length of water penetration can be achieved in 2.0% of the fiber added with
an decrease of 1.12% of its ability to resist hydrostatic pressure with respect to the control
specimen. It also shows that the resistance to water penetration of concrete samples continues
to decrease and it is evident in 14 and 28 days of curing compared to 7 days of curing. Chart 1.4
summarize and analyze the overall average of depth of water penetration of the concrete cylinder
with the use of different percentage value of waste cigarette filter fiber as an admixture. With
respect to the durability tests, it shows that the lowest permeability can be achieve on the percent
value of 2.0%.
DATA AND RESULTS OF WATER SORPTIVITY TEST

7 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER SORPTIVITY TEST)
9 8.95
AVERAGE WATER ABSORPTION (mm.)

8.8 8.7
8.58
8.6

8.4
8.29

8.2

7.8
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

14 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER SORPTIVITY TEST)
9
AVERAGE WATER ABSORPTION (mm.)

8.82
8.8

8.6
8.46
8.4 8.29

8.2 8.12

7.8

7.6
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS
 28 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER SORPTIVITY TEST)
9
AVERAGE WATER ABSORPTION (mm.)

8.5 8.33

7.92
8 7.8
7.51
7.5

6.5
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

OVERALL WATER SORPTIVITY TEST RESULTS

9.5

8.95
9 8.82
8.7
8.58
8.46
8.5 8.29 8.29 8.33
8.12
7.92
8 7.8
7.51
7.5

6.5
7 DAYS 14 DAYS 28 DAYS

CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF

 OVERALL WATER SORPTIVITY TEST RESULTS
9.5

8.5

7.5

6.5
CONTROL 1.0% WCFF 1.5% WCFF 2.0% WCFF

7 DAYS 14 DAYS 21 DAYS

SUMMARY OUTPUT WATER ABSORPTION TEST

MIX DESIGN 7 DAYS (mmt) 14 DAYS (mmt) 28 DAYS (mmt)
CONTROL 8.95 8.82 8.33
1.0% WCFF ADDED 8.7 8.46 7.92
1.5% WCFF ADDED 8.58 8.29 7.8
2.0% WCFF ADDED 8.29 8.12 7.51
DATA AND RESULTS OF RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST

7 DAYS OF CURING
(RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST)
4146
4086 4065
4032
4050
AVERAGE CHARGE PASSED (C)

3850

3650

3450

3250

3050
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

14 DAYS OF CURING
(RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST)

4050
AVERAGE CHARGE PASSED (C)

3942
3873
3850 3789
3714

3650

3450

3250

3050
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS
 28 DAYS OF CURING
(RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST)
3438
3450
AVERAGE CHARGE PASSED (C)

3400
3360
3350

3300
3261
3250

3200

3150 3123

3100

3050
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

OVERALL RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST RESULTS

4500 4146 4086 4065 4032
3942 3873
4000 3789 3714
3438 3360
3500 3261
3123
3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
7 DAYS 14 DAYS 28 DAYS

CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF

 OVERALL RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST RESULTS
4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
CONTROL 1.0% WCFF 1.5% WCFF 2.0% WCFF

7 DAYS 14 DAYS 21 DAYS

SUMMARY OUTPUT RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION TEST

MIX DESIGN 7 DAYS (amp) 14 DAYS (amp) 28 DAYS (amp)
CONTROL 4146 3942 3438
1.0% WCFF ADDED 4086 3873 3360
1.5% WCFF ADDED 4065 3789 3261
2.0% WCFF ADDED 4032 3714 3123
DATA AND RESULTS OF WATER PERMEABILITY TEST

7 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER PERMEABILITY TEST)
100
AVERAGE DEPTH OF WATER PENETRATION

99
97.8
98 97.5
97
95.93
96
95
(mm.)

93.8
94
93
92
91
90
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

14 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER PERMEABILITY TEST)
90
AVERAGE DEPTH OF WATER PENETRATION

89 88.23 87.97
88 87.1 86.9
87
86
85
(mm.)

84
83
82
81
80
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS
 28 DAYS OF CURING
(WATER PERMEABILITY TEST)
90
AVERAGE DEPTH OF WATER PENETRATION

89
88
86.7 86.6
87 86.4
86 85.67

85
(mm.)

84
83
82
81
80
CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF
MIX DESIGNS

OVERALL WATER PERMEABILITY TEST RESULTS

100
97.8 97.5
98
95.93
96
93.8
94
92
90 88.23 87.97
88 87.1 86.9 86.7 86.6 86.4
85.67
86
84
82
80
78
7 DAYS 14 DAYS 28 DAYS

CONTROL 1.0 % WCFF 1.5 % WCFF 2.0 % WCFF

 OVERALL WATER PERMEABILITY TEST RESULTS
100
98
96
94
92
90
88
86
84
82
80
78
CONTROL 1.0% WCFF 1.5% WCFF 2.0% WCFF

7 DAYS 14 DAYS 21 DAYS

SUMMARY OUTPUT WATER PENETRATION TEST

MIX DESIGN 7 DAYS (mm) 14 DAYS (mm) 28 DAYS (mm)
CONTROL 97.8 88.23 86.7
1.0% WCFF ADDED 97.5 87.97 86.6
1.5% WCFF ADDED 95.93 87.1 86.4
2.0% WCFF ADDED 93.8 86.9 85.67

Statistical Treatment

Figure 1 below display the statistical analysis of the test results under water
absorption, rapid chloride ion penetration, and water penetration and it is visible that there
is a significant difference between the results. Supporting the inference made from Figure
1, comparing the p-values from the three tests shown in Table 1.17 which is 6.60274E-
13 to the value of alpha (α) or significance level used which is 0.05, the p –values are
smaller than the α which concludes that the null hypothesis can be rejected or the group
 means are not equal. Since the null hypothesis was rejected, it can be stated that the
added fibers from waste cigarette filters exhibit a significant effect on concrete’s durability.

Figure 1: Analysis of variables (ANOVA) graph

3300 3295.5

3000
2700
2400
2100
RESULTS

1800
1500
1200
900
600
300 86.3425
7.89
0
WATER ABSORPTION CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION WATER PENETRATION
DURABILITY TESTS

Table 1.16: Durability test results after 28 days of curing

WATER ABSORPTION RAPID CHLORIDE ION PENETRATION WATER PENETRATION
8.33 3438 86.7
7.92 3360 86.6
7.8 3261 86.4
7.51 3123 85.67
(Table 1.16 shows the results from water absorption test, rapid chloride ion penetration
test, and water penetration test after 28 days of curing)

Table 1.17: Statistical treatment and analysis

ANOVA: SINGLE
FACTOR

SUMMARY
Durability Tests Count Sum Mean Variance Standard Error
WATER ABSORPTION 4 31.56 7.89 0.115667 0.170049013
CHLORIDE ION
PENETRATION 4 13182 3295.5 18471 67.95402858
WATER PENETRATION 4 345.37 86.3425 0.216558 0.232679142
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Between Groups 28150968 2 14075484 2286.053 6.60274E-13 4.256495
Within Groups 55414 9 6157.111

Total 28206382 11
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