Experimental Study On Mechanical Behaviour Of Human Hair Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced concrete offers a practical and cost-effective solution for addressing micro-cracks and similar structural weaknesses in concrete. Traditional concrete is inherently weak in tension, necessitating measures to enhance its performance in this regard. One unconventional yet promising option for reinforcement is human hair due to its impressive tensile strength. Human hair fibres (HF) are readily available, affordable, and do not degrade quickly, which can contribute to environmental concerns. This study aims to investigate the impact of incorporating human hair fibres into plain cement concrete, with a focus on enhancing compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and crack prevention while promoting economic and eco-friendly concrete practices.
 Prior to incorporating human hair fibres into the concrete mix, a meticulous cleaning process involving acetone is carried out. Experimental assessments were conducted on concrete beams, cubes, and cylinders, utilizing various proportions of human hair fibres (0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% by weight of cement). The findings reveal that the introduction of human hair fibres as reinforcement leads to a noteworthy enhancement in concrete performance. Specifically, with a 2% inclusion of human hair fibres, we observed a 3.29% upsurge in compressive strength, a 10.87% increase in tensile strength, and a 12.69% improvement in flexural strength in comparison to traditional concrete.