ABSTRACT:

Nylon filaments are utilized in the manufacture of a variety of durable products, including carpets, rope,
clothing, and tires. Nylon is classified as a synthetic substance. Furthermore, research has indicated that
the incorporation of nylon fiber into concrete can increase its durability. Fibers prevent spalling of the
concrete cover due to their excellent adhesion [Link] research seeks to determine whether the
addition of a 1.5%, 5% or 10% fiber mixture to a concrete cylinder affects its compression strength.

Background of the study

Brushstrokes featuring nylon filaments gained widespread popularity. Nylon is significantly more
affordable, durable, and hygienic than animal hair, which degrades rapidly and serves as a breeding
ground for pathogens. Although toothbrush bristles made from animal hair continue to exist, they are no
longer widely used. One of the most significant and profound inventions of the 20th century is the
conventional manual toothbrush featuring nylon filaments. Concurrently, over 340 million plastic
toothbrushes are produced in the Philippines alone, and an astounding 16 billion wind up in landfills
annually. The plastic components found in toothbrushes are typically rigid plastics. Moreover, the
manufacturing process of nylon and polypropylene polymers relies on non-renewable fossil fuels, which,
if maintained, pose an even greater threat to the [Link] materials exhibit resistance to
decomposition and can remain in their initial state indefinitely.

Statement of the problem

This study examines the mechanical properties, specifically compressive strength, of a concrete

cylinder that incorporates toothbrush bristles as an admixture. The following questions would be answer
according from the compressive test data?

 Do the toothbrush bristles enhance the compressive strength while preserving workability

• What is the compressive strength of the concrete cylinder with bristles in 7 and 14

days of curing?

• What is the comparative compressive strength of the controlled concrete cylinder

compared to cylinder with toothbrush bristles in the span of 14 days?

• What is the disparity in compressive strength of concrete cylinders with 1.5%, 5%,

and 10% admixture?

 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This conceptual framework illustrates the process of incorporating toothbrush bristles as a

sustainable additive material in concrete and evaluating its impact on compressive strength. The
framework begins with the selection of toothbrush bristles (nylon) as an additive material, which
is then combined with standard concrete elements, including cement, sand, gravel, and water.
Different proportions of toothbrush bristle additives (1.5%, 5%, and 10%) are mixed with
concrete, forming six concrete cylinder samples. These samples are then molded and prepared
for testing.

To assess the effectiveness of these additives, the concrete cylinders undergo compressive
strength testing using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results obtained from this testing
process provide insights into the impact of toothbrush bristles on the overall strength of the
concrete. The final output of the framework is the compressive strength value (in MPa), which
determines whether toothbrush bristles can serve as an effective and sustainable reinforcement
material in concrete.
Assumptions and Limitation

This study is going to focus on the compressive strength test of 6 concrete cylinders, where
toothbrush bristles are used as a partial substitute for [Link] design will be conducted with a
Universal Testing Machine (UTM).The additive content is determined by 1.5%, 5%, and 10% of
the weight of the [Link] process of curing will only last in the span of 7 and 14 days

Procedure

To conduct the study, toothbrushes were collected from junk shops, and their nylon bristles were
separated, cleaned, dried, stored, and weighed for use as an admixture. The concrete mix was
prepared by weighing sand, gravel, cement, water, and nylon bristles according to the design
mix. The materials were thoroughly blended, with different mixtures containing 0%, 1.5%, 5%,
and 10% nylon bristles. Each mix was poured into cylindrical molds in layers, compacted with
25 tamps per layer, and left to set for 48 hours before demolding. The specimens were then cured
in a tank for 7 and 14 days. Compression testing was conducted on 7-day cured specimens with
1.5% and 5% admixtures using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM), while after 14 days, all
specimens, including those with 0% and 10% admixture, underwent compression testing to
assess the effect of nylon bristles on concrete strength.

Extraction of the toothbrush's nylon bristles

 Tampering and mixing the Cement and Fine Aggregates

EXPERIMENT DATA

Volume of a cylindrical mold 0.0053 m3

COURSE AGGREGATES
fc' 28 MPa
Saturated Dry Moisture 1.89%
Water Cement Ratio 0.47
Moisture Content 1.10%
Air Content 2%
Maximum Nominal size 19mm
Sg of Cement 3.15
Oven dry bulk density 1756 kg/m^3
Slump 100 mm

FINE AGGREGATES
Saturated-Surface Dry moisture 1.79%
Moisture Content 2.06%
Fineness Modulus 2.6
DESIGN MIX

DESIGN MIX 8
1.50% 5% 10%
CYLINDERS

water 1.458 1.458 1.458

cement 3.037 2.929 2.775

Gravel 8.032 8.032 8.032
Sand 3.909 3.909 3.909
Toothbrush Bristles 0.046 0.154 0.308

RESULTS

7 AND 14 DAYS COMPARISON

25
21.5
20 18.23 17.66 17.56
15.01
STRESS(PSI)

15 13.63

10

0
1.50% 5% 10% CONTROL
TOOTHBURSH BRISTLES MIXTURE

14 DAYS 7 DAYS

The given figure above (Fig. 4.3.) follows a similar trend with that of the previous figures. For both 7 and
14 days, the 1.5 % sample got the highest strength of 18.23 MPa while the 10% sample got the lowest
strength of 14.55 MPa despite being cured for 14 days. It illustrates that the sample with the amount of
cement closest to that of the control sample yields the highest compressive strength despite of the
curing time taken. As observed, the more the sample deviates from the conventional concrete mix
design in terms of the amount of cement, the lower compressive strength it will also yield. It follows a
linear trend that as the ratio of cement with the admixture lowers, the compressive strength will also
lower and the trend will never change despite the duration of curing done on the concrete mix. The
control sample demonstrated a maximum resistance of 322.07 KN before reaching its limit. This can be
mostly due to the higher concentration of cement in the specimen.
 14 DAYS

CONCRETE MIX STRESS(MPa) STRESS(PSI) LOAD(kN)

1.50% 18.23 2642.69 322.07

5% 17.56 2546.69 310.37

10% 14.55 2110.25 257.18

CONTROLLED
MIX 21.5 3117.2837 379.91

7 DAYS

CONCRETE MIX STRESS(MPa) STRESS(PSI) LOAD(kN)

1.50% 17.66 2561.37 312.13

5% 15.01 2177.02 265.3

Conclusion

Based on the given findings of the study, several conclusions are drawn. Firstly, the 1.5% toothbrush bristles
admixture content provides the best compressive strength among the three samples, but when it comes to
fracture, the 10% specimen was able to resist rupture best under compression load of 278.18 KN compared to the
other samples. This is attributed to the large amount of fibers present in the concrete mix design of the 10%
sample. Secondly, there is an indirect relationship between the amount of toothbrush bristles in the concrete mix
and the compressive strength. On the contrary, the higher the amount of fiber present, the greater the ability of
the concrete to resist fracture. Thirdly, the toothbrush bristles does not increase the compressive strength of
concrete after 14 days and lastly, there is a high disparity in the amount of toothbrush bristles present in the
concrete and their effect to its compressive strength.

10 % Toothbrush Bristles
5% Toothbrush Bristles Control

1.5% Toothbrush bristles

Recommendation

On the basis of the formulated results and conclusions, the following recommendations are offered:

1. The future researchers are recommended to use low admixture content in future studies to

attain the best amount of toothbrush bristles for compressive strength.

2. The future researchers are encouraged to explore the effect of using high amount of

toothbrush bristles on the ability of concrete to resist fracture in their studies as it shows

3. Based on the result It is still recommended to use the conventional concrete mix design without the
presence of toothbrush bristles as an admixture since it still yields the highest compressive strength

References

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[Link]

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Experimental Study on Engineering Properties of Cement Concrete Reinforced with

Nylon and Jute Fibers. Buildings, 11(10), 454.

[Link]

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PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE USING NYLON FIBER AS FIBER

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State Today. Chico State Today - News From California State University, Chico.

[Link]

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Fibers and Fabrics, 18. [Link]

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