An Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Human Hair Fibre Reinforced Concrete (M-40 Grade)

Abstract

Since the ancient times, many researches and advancements were carried to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of concrete. Fibre reinforced concrete is one among those advancements which offers a convenient, practical and economical method for overcoming micro cracks and similar type of deficiencies. Since concrete is weak in tension hence some measures must be adopted to overcome this deficiency. Human hair is generally strong in tension; hence it can be used as a fibre reinforcement material. Human hair Fibre is an alternative non-degradable matter available in abundance and at cheap cost. It also creates environmental problem for its decomposition. Present work has been undertaken to study the effect of human hair on plain cement concrete of M-40 grade on the basis of its mechanical properties which include compressive, flexural and split tensile strength and also to reduce environmental problems. Experiments were conducted on Concrete cubes, beams and cylinders of standard sizes with addition of various percentages of Human Hair fibre i.e., 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3% by weight of cement and results were compared with those of plain cement concrete of M-40 grade. For each percentage of human hair added in concrete, six cubes, three beams and three cylinders were tested for their respective mechanical properties at curing periods of 7 days, 14 days and 28days. The change in mechanical properties of concrete is determined and analyzed. The results obtained show us that the optimum content of human hair fibre to be added to M-40 grade of concrete is 1.5% by weight of cement and consequently there has been a significant increase in mechanical properties of concrete. Also addition of human hair fibres enhances the binding properties, micro cracking control, imparts ductility and also increases spalling resistance. The experimental findings in our studies would encourage future research in this direction for long term performance to extending this cost effective type of fibres for use in structural applications.