Enhancing Concrete Flexural Behaviour with Euphorbia Tortilis Cactus: Sustainable Additive for Improved Load-Carrying Capacity and Ductility

This study delves into the flexural behavior of concrete beams incorporating Euphorbia tortilis cactus (ETC) as an environmentally friendly additive. Six sets of reinforced concrete beams with varying compositions, including ETC and reference concrete, were subjected to two-point load tests. The results revealed several critical findings. All tested beams exhibited a flexural mode of failure, indicating a ductile response. ETC-incorporated beams displayed superior load-carrying capacity, with initial crack loads increasing by up to 47.9%. ETC beams exhibited lower crack widths, reduced deformations, and enhanced stiffness. The stiffness gradient relative to the ultimate load demonstrated the improved resistance of ETC beams. Energy absorption was significantly higher in ETC beams, signifying their capacity to withstand energy fluctuations. ETC fibers effectively prevented pull-out failures. Overall, ETC-enhanced concrete beams exhibited enhanced performance, highlighting their potential for sustainable construction.