Unveiling Improved Sulfate Resistance of high-performance Concrete Composites Using Maize cob ash Particles and Raffia Fibers

The improvement of sulphate resistance of composite concrete from maize cob ash particles and Raffia fibres was examined in the research, and the findings were compared with composite concrete produced from water-cured specimens after the composites were subjected to sulphate acid for a year. Additionally, twelve (12) concrete mixes were cast with a fibre amount of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and a 1.5-volume fraction with 20% maize cob ash particles in place of Portland cement. The properties of hardened concrete, including strength, mass, visual inspection, and microstructural analysis were examined. The specimens exposed to sulphate and acid solutions had low crack formation, spalling, and strength loss as a result of the beneficial interaction between maize cob ash particles and Raffia fibers. The study’s conclusions showed that it is both technically and environmentally feasible to use maize cob ash particles and Raffia fibres to develop a novel alternative concrete composite that can withstand corrosive solutions.