Influence of Inorganic and Natural Fibers on Low-Strength Concrete Properties

Abstract

AbstractAn extensive range of concrete (low to ultra-high strength) is used in different structural applications of modern construction site. To mitigate the innate flaws, i.e., brittleness nature and limited tensile strength of concrete, fiber can be introduced in concrete. The present experimental study was aimed to investigate the strength potential of low-strength concrete (LSC) reinforced with two different types of fiber, inorganic fiber and natural fiber. As effective and comparatively low-cost strengthening materials, inorganic glass fiber (GF) and locally available natural jute fiber (JF) having two variable lengths (20, 30 mm) with a specific volume fraction of 0.5% were used to prepare concrete cylinders. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength of the fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) was studied and compared with the plain LSC. Moreover, how the brittleness of the LSC changes with the inclusion of fiber was also evaluated. The experimental outcomes indicated that in addition of JF or GF not only enhanced load carrying capacity but also abated the brittleness of LSC. These assessments also revealed that concrete incorporated with 0.5% JF of 20 mm length exhibited remarkable improvement in compressive and tensile strength by 39.9% and 62%, respectively, and reduction in brittleness (16%) of concrete compared to the plain LSC at 28 days curing.KeywordsLow-strength concreteGlass fiberJute fiberFiber-reinforced concreteBrittleness