Concrete Enriched with Prickly Pear Cactus Ash: A Leap Towards Sustainable Construction

Medrano-Sanchez E.J.; Alberco M.D.; Martos E. · Chemical Engineering Transactions (2025) · DOI: 10.3303/cet25119088

Resumen

This study evaluates the effect of adding prickly pear cactus ash (PPCA) on the mechanical properties of concrete with a design strength of 280 kg/cm2, as a sustainable alternative for the construction industry. A quasi-experimental design was employed, analyzing four PPCA dosage levels: 0 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, and 2 %, to assess their impact on the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of concrete. The results indicated that the addition of 1.5 % PPCA achieved an optimal increase of 8 % in compressive strength, whereas a 2 % addition led to a 1 % reduction compared to the control sample. Similarly, tensile and flexural strengths showed significant improvements, with the 1.5 % dosage being the most effective. Statistical analysis using the ANOVA test confirmed the significant influence of PPCA on the mechanical properties of concrete, with p-values below 0.05, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis and acceptance of the alternative hypothesis. These findings suggest that PPCA is a promising additive for enhancing concrete performance, contributing to more sustainable construction practices. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad de Piura; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola; Universidad César Vallejo