Mechanical Behaviour of Composite Material Based on Mortar/Natural Fibers (Fique <i>"Furcraea andina"</i>) Meshes as External Reinforcement of Concrete Beams

Abstract

This work shows the effect of an external reinforcement of concrete beams using a composite material based on woven meshes obtained from natural fibers of fique "furcraea andina" embedded in a Portland cement mortar. Fique is an endemic plant of the Colombian Andean region. The woven meshes tensile resistance was obtained according to the ASTM D-5034 standard. Flat orthogonal woven meshes were characterized, made with 714.3 tex linear density yarns, separated 3, 5 and 8 mm in warp and weft directions, likewise, the concrete beams rupture module was evaluated according to the ASTM C78 standard. Beams were tested, both without mesh reinforcement and with external reinforcement. Beams were reinforced on one, three and four of their faces. A commercial epoxy adhesive was used to glue the composite material to the concrete beams and their behaviour were tested with and without the application of the epoxy. The four faces reinforced composite beam showed an increase of 80% of its bending resistance compared to the beam without any additional reinforcement, showing a greater ductility and better mechanical behaviour. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the use of fique meshes as alternative reinforcement agents for cementitious compounds in structural elements, opening the way for future investigations into the use of natural fibers in construction alternative materials.