International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Experimental study on concrete with Natural and Artificial fibers Akshatha N S1, Aparna Gopinath2 1Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, DSATM, Karnataka, India 2Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, DSATM, Karnataka, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Various types of fibres such as steel, glass, synthetic, and Abstract - Concrete is the most widely used construction
natural fibres have been employed in FRC to improve performance. Among them, steel fibres and glass fibres are widely used due to their high strength and crack-bridging capabilities. Recent advancements in sustainable construction have led to increased interest in the use of natural fibres, which are biodegradable, cost-effective, and locally available. One such promising material is coir fibre, extracted from coconut husk, which offers acceptable strength, durability, and environmental benefits.
material in the world, and enhancing its properties through fiber reinforcement has become a focus of modern research. Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is a composite material in which small, uniformly dispersed fibers significantly improve the mechanical properties of concrete, such as compressive, tensile, flexural, and impact strength. This study investigates the performance of both synthetic and natural fibers in concrete. Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) specimens were prepared using hook-end steel fibers with 0% and 0.5% volume fractions (aspect ratio 53.85, length 50 mm), while alkali-resistant glass fibers were used at 0% and 0.25% by weight of cement (cut length 12 mm), without admixtures. Test results on cube and cylinder specimens showed improved compressive and split tensile strength compared to plain M30 concrete at both 7 and 28 days, validating the positive influence of fiber inclusion. Furthermore, the study explores the application of natural coir fiber as a sustainable alternative. Coir fibers, treated with natural latex to resist moisture, were incorporated at lengths of 20 mm, 25 mm, and 30 mm, in proportions of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by volume. The 28-day experimental results showed considerable improvement in both compressive and tensile strength, proving coir fiber's effectiveness as a reinforcing material. This research promotes the use of locally available natural fibers in the civil engineering field, encouraging sustainability while achieving desirable mechanical performance in concrete.
This research aims to investigate the mechanical behaviour of FRC using steel fibres, glass fibres, and coir fibres. The study includes an experimental evaluation of compressive and split tensile strength of concrete containing varying proportions and lengths of coir fibres, as well as a comparison with conventional M30 grade concrete and concrete reinforced with synthetic fibres. The goal is to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly materials in modern civil engineering practices.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW Dragica Jevtić et al. (2008) examined the effect of steel fibres at 60 kg/m³ (0.45% by volume) combined with a superplasticizer. The results showed enhanced compressive and flexural strength at all ages. The presence of silica fume further improved mechanical properties, making such composites suitable for both new construction and rehabilitation works.
Key Words: Fibre Reinforced Concrete, Steel Fibres, Glass Fibres, Coir Fibres, Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength, Natural Fibres, Sustainable Construction.
P. Rathish Kumar and K. Srikanth (2008) reported that while the addition of fibres showed minimal change in compressive strength, glass fibres significantly improved split tensile and flexural strength over polypropylene fibres. Post-peak strain was higher in polypropylene specimens, although flexural strength remained lower than glass fibre specimens.
1.INTRODUCTION Concrete is the most widely used construction material across the globe due to its excellent compressive strength, durability, and versatility. However, its inherent brittleness and low tensile strength limit its performance under various loading conditions. To overcome these drawbacks, the incorporation of fibres into concrete has emerged as an effective solution, giving rise to what is known as Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC). FRC is a composite material in which short, discrete fibres are uniformly distributed throughout the concrete matrix, enhancing its mechanical properties such as toughness, flexural strength, tensile strength, and resistance to cracking and impact.
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Mohammed Ezziane et al. (2011) studied standard and fibre-reinforced mortars under elevated temperatures (400°C to 1000°C). Hybrid mortars (steel + polypropylene) demonstrated optimal performance. Polypropylene reduced internal pressure from heat, while steel fibres controlled cracking during both exposure and subsequent loading. Natural fibres such as flax, jute, hemp, and coir have gained attention for being lightweight, cost-effective, and
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