Incorporating leather waste for enhanced concrete performance and environmental conservation

The strong adhesion between leather fibres and concrete, coupled with the favourable tensile strength of leather, enhances the tensile strength of concrete. The ready availability and cost-effectiveness of leather waste contribute to more economical concrete production. While incorporating leather waste into concrete typically diminishes its compressive strength, this study introduces a specific percentage of leather fibres, approximately sized at 20 mm × 4 mm × 4 mm, which effectively enhances both tensile and compressive strength. Numerous laboratory samples were meticulously prepared for this investigation, assessing workability, compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete while varying the weight percentages of leather waste and their respective sizes as additives. Additionally, the impact of grain size distribution and water–cement ratio was evaluated within the mix. The findings highlight the optimal mix plan, revealing an ideal water–cement ratio of 0.61 and a sand-to-gravel ratio of 0.65 among the tested compositions. Moreover, among the leather proportions tested, the incorporation of 5% leather fibres led to a 2.5% increase in compressive strength and an average 16% rise in tensile strength. Remarkably, the weight of leather fibre-enhanced concrete reduced by 7% compared to conventional concrete, providing an environmentally sustainable method for disposing of significant quantities of leather waste, thus contributing significantly to environmental preservation.