Abstract
Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) have been successfully applied to the strengthening of reinforced concrete structures and a similar methodology is adopted by researchers in order to strengthen timber structures using synthetic fibres such as carbon, glass or aramid fibres. This paper explores the viability of using fibres from botanical sources for the reinforcement of timber structures. In this study, two natural fibre materials, namely kenaf and ramie, in combination with a polymeric matrix, are tested for their tensile properties in accordance with ASTM D 4018-99. The results indicate that kenaf fibres exhibit average ultimate tensile strength value at rupture of 750 MPa and Young’s modulus of 58 GPa. The test results also show that the corresponding parameters for ramie fibres average at 810 MPa and 36 GPa respectively. These values are closer to those of timber as opposed to analogous values for carbon and glass fibres. The strength and elastic moduli compatibility of both kenaf and ramie fibres with timber and contrast with carbon and glass fibres is further discussed in relation to the viability of using these natural fibres as reinforcement for timber.
Highlights
Flexural strengthening of concrete beams with Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) has been extensively studied, for example by Teng et al [1], and Saadatmanesh and Malek [2]
Untreated kenaf and untreated ramie fibers were prepared for testing following ASTM D 4018-99 [10], which is a standardized method for determining the tensile strength and elastic modulus of a resinimpregnated and consolidated carbon fiber tow
The untreated ramie fibers were sourced from Konsorsium Ramie Indonesia (KORI), while untreated kenaf fibers were supplied by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
Summary
Flexural strengthening of concrete beams with FRP has been extensively studied, for example by Teng et al [1], and Saadatmanesh and Malek [2]. The American code ACI 440.2R-02 [3] gives detailed guidance on the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams by bonding FRP reinforcement to the tension faces of these beams. Technical Report No 55 [4] explains the advantages of using FRP over the more traditional method of steel plate installation for structural strengthening of concrete structures. Garcia et al [5] reinforced beams from the timber species Pinus sylvestris with carbon fiber fabrics. These beams were tested under three-point bending to failure. The authors reported that carbon fiber reinforced beams exhibited higher stiffness and load carrying capacity when compared with their unreinforced counterparts
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