Influence of natural fiber in the mechanical and durability behaviour of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cracks developed due to drying and shrinkage in plain cement concrete can be overcome by introducing discreet and randomly oriented fibrous material as a reinforcing agent. Researchers focused only on synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) most of the time while neglecting natural FRC. Previously, researchers focused on double hybrid FRC, whereas triple hybrid FRC required a further behavioral study on FRC’s mechanical characteristics. The primary objective of this study is to enhance mechanical properties of matrix due to the effect of short fiber in randomly oriented without changing their individual identity. Here, sisal fiber (SF), banana fiber (BF), and human hair fiber (HH) are used as reinforcing agents with varying volume fractions ( from 0.5% to 2% and a hybrid of 1% with concrete matrix. This investigation found that BF 0.5%, SF 1.5%, HH 1%, and H6 (SF0.25BF0.5HH0.25) % showed the optimum volume fraction, which improved mechanical properties and resisted sulfate and alkaline attack on the concrete matrix. Product from individual and combined natural FRC could be a sustainable building material that is economical, eco-friendly, and durable.