Effects of Incorporating Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate on the Sound Absorption Performance and Mechanical Properties of Standard Concrete

Managing noise pollution, a consequence of urban expansion and industrial growth is imperative by using innovative and environmentally friendly sound barriers, such as developing natural fiber-reinforced concrete. Oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF), among other natural fibers, emerges as a prominent candidate due to its environmentally benign, renewable, and fully recyclable nature, aligning seamlessly with the principles of sustainable construction. This study investigates the influence of OPMF on concrete's acoustic and mechanical properties. The study spans varying ratios of OPMF, replacing fine aggregate by volume content from 0 to 10% with acoustic properties investigated in an impedance tube across a frequency range of 50–5000 Hz while the mechanical properties were also determined accordingly. Notably, the addition of OPMF into the concrete matrix yields a remarkable enhancement in the acoustic properties with sound absorption coefficients (SAC) of 0.004–0.280; sound absorption average (SAA) of 0.074–0.126 and noise reduction coefficients (NRC) of 0.071–0.123 recorded across the different fiber percentage inclusion compared to conventional concrete with 0.003–0.217 (SAC); 0.061 (SAA); and 0.058 (NRC), respectively. A reduction in fabricated concrete's workability compressive strength, a slight reduction in flexural and splitting tensile strength, and increased porosity were observed. The integration of OPMF into the concrete matrix engenders the development of intricate pore networks, thereby establishing distinct acoustic pathways which aid in the sound absorption performance of concrete.