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org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

HUMAN HAIR FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

1
Salvant Raj, 2Gurmeet Singh, 3Rajat Sharma
1
Associate Professor, 2Assistant Professor, 3Assistant Professor
1
Civil Engineering Department,
1
Government College of Engineering And Technology, Jammu, India

Abstract: Enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of concrete is a potential area of research. Fiber reinforced concrete is one
among those advancements which offers convenient, practical and economical methods for overcoming micro cracks and similar type of
deficiencies. Since the concrete is weak in tension, fiber helps to overcome this deficiency. There are several types of fiber which serves
this purpose, this paper investigates the suitability of human hair. Human hair is considered as a waste material in most parts of the world
and is a common constituent found in municipal waste streams which cause environmental issue. Hair fiber, an alternate non-degradable
matter is available in abundance and at a very cheap cost. This paper compares the strength and durability of ordinary concrete with hair
fiber reinforced concrete of M35 grade with 0%, 0.5%, 1% 1.5%, 2% addition of hair by weight of cement. The result shows that addition
of human hair fiber enhances the compressive strength, binding properties, micro cracks control, imparts ductility and also increases the
spalling resistance. The experimental findings in overall studies would encourage further research in this direction for long term
performance to extending this cost effective type of fibers for use in structural application. Optimum hair fiber content was obtained as
2% by weight of cement.

Index Terms - Concrete, HHFRC, Fiber, Human Hair.

I. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is a mixture of cement (usually Portland cement), water and stone aggregate possessing low tensile strength, limited ductility and
little resistance to cracking. Since concrete is weak in tension hence some measures must be adopted to overcome this deficiency. Hence,
incorporating fiber into the concrete can increase the properties of concrete like the tensile strength of the concrete, reduce the air voids and
water voids and also the inherent porosity of gel, increases the durability of the concrete.
Fiber is a small piece of reinforcing material possessing certain characteristics properties. Addition of fibers to concrete influences its
behavior which significantly depends on the type and percentage of fiber. The properties of fiber reinforced concrete are influenced mainly
by the physical and mechanical properties of the fiber. A good fiber should have good adhesion within the matrix and adaptable elasticity
modulus. It must be compatible with the binder, which shouldn’t be attacked or destroyed in the long term. It should be short, fine and
flexible to permit mixing, transporting and placing and also strong enough to withstand the mixing process.
Fiber Reinforced Concrete can be defined as a composite material consisting of mixtures of cement, mortar or concrete and
discontinuous, discrete, uniformly dispersed suitable fibers. Fiber reinforced concrete are of different types and properties with many
advantages. Continuous meshes, woven fabrics and long wires or rods are not considered to be discrete fibers.
Fiber is a small piece of reinforcing material possessing certain characteristics properties. They can be circular or flat. The fiber is often
described by a convenient parameter called “aspect ratio”. The aspect ratio of the fiber is the ratio of its length to its diameter. Typical
aspect ratio ranges from 30 to 150.
Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which increases its structural integrity. It contains short discrete
fibers that are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented. Fibers include steel fibers, glass fibers, synthetic fibers and natural fibers.
Within these different fibers that character of fiber reinforced concrete changes with varying concretes, fiber materials, geometries,
distribution, orientation and densities.
Since the advent of fiber reinforcing of concrete in the 1940`s, a great deal of testing has been conducted on the various fibrous
materials to determine the actual characteristics and advantages for each product. Addition of fibers to concrete makes it more
homogeneous and isotropic, and transforms it from a brittle to a more ductile material. Fibers are usually used in concrete to control plastic
and dry shrinkage cracking, lower the permeability and impart greater impact, abrasion and shatter resistance. Fiber reinforced concrete can
offer a convenient, practical and economical method for overcoming micro-cracks and similar type of deficiencies. It is an effective method
of construction of light weight seismic resistant structures.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Dr. Sinan abdulkhaleq yaseen, University of salahaddin published a paper on “An Experimental Investigation into the mechanical
properties of New Natural Fiber Reinforced Mortar” in 2013. This paper highlights use of human hair fiber (HHF) as reinforced material in
cementitious material. Tests were carried to study the influence of fiber content on the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength,
flexural strength and load deflection was presented for two w/c ratios (0.6 and 0.7). energy absorption capacity and ductility factor were
improved considerably with the fiber content increased, which makes using the HHF suitable for seismic force resistant structures

Jain.D and Kothari.A, it is observed that there is remarkable increment in properties of concrete according to the percentages of hairs
by weight of in concrete. When M20 concrete with 1% hair is compared with the plain cement concrete, it is found that there is an increase
of 10% in compressive strength and 3.2% in flexural strength. When M20 concrete with 1.5% hair is compared with plain cement concrete,
it is found that there is an increase of 22% in compressive strength and 8.6% in flexural strength. When M20 concrete with 1% hair is
compared with the plain cement concrete, it is found that there is no increase in compressive strength and 2% in flexural strength. When
M20 concrete with 1.5 % hair is compared with the plain cement concrete, it is found that there is an increase of 8.8 % in compressive
strength and 5.5 % in flexural strength. When M25 concrete with 1% hair is compared with the plain cement concrete, it is found that there
is an increase 4.6% in compressive strength and 3% in flexural strength. When M25 concrete with 1.5% hair is compared with the plain
cement concrete, it is found that there is an increase of 11% in compressive strength and 4% in flexural strength.
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Nila V. M, Raijan K. J, Susmitha Antony, Riya Babu M, Neena Rose Davis, According to the test performed it is observed that
there is remarkable increment in properties of concrete according to the percentages of hairs by weight of concrete. There was an overall
increase of 1 - 12% in the compressive strength of concrete and up to 5% in the flexural strength of concrete test specimens by the addition
of hair fibers in different quantities. It is well observed that the maximum increase is noticed in the addition of 2% hair fiber, by weight of
concrete, in all the mixes. It is concrete mixes, making the hair fiber reinforced concrete best suitable to u the applications with those
concrete mixes. Crack formation and propagation are very much reduced showing that FRC can have its applications in seismic resistant
constructions.
Yadollah Batebi, Alireza Mirzagoltabar, Seyed Mostafa Shabanian and Sara Fateri, Department of Civil Engineering, Babol
University of Technology. Basically most of cement based mixtures are likely shrinking. Use of fibers is not a new idea in this case.
Previously, there were evidences that horse hair, straw and cotton fibers were used in mud and mortars in ancient times. Then, utilizing
these fibers in concrete mixtures may increases concrete workability and decreases cracks. Due to nano crosssection of hair and its proper
tensile strength their project investigates its application to reduce the shrinkage of concrete mixtures.

III. OBJECT & SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION:

 During our research work we also faced the problem of uniform distribution of hair in the concrete. So an efficient method of mixing
of hair fiber to the concrete mix is to be found out.
 A wide study on partial replacement of cement using fine hair fiber is to be carried out.
 Applications of hair fiber reinforced concrete in the construction of seismic resistant structures.
 The distribution matrix of hair in concrete since the resultant matrix could affect the properties.
 The study of admixtures and super plasticizer which could distribute the hairs without affecting the properties of concrete.
 The study of use of animal hairs in concrete should also be carried out.
 The research can be further extended to study the influence of hair fiber on other properties of composites such physical, thermal
properties and appearances.

IV.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Before going for the main research tests certain tests were performed on the cement and course aggregates. Consistency test was
performed as per IS:4031-PART4-1988. This test helps to determine water content for other tests like initial and final setting time,
soundness & compressive strength. Below is provided the table for consistency limits.
S.No Weight Of Cement Percentage By Amount Of Water Penetration From
In Gm Weight Of Dry Added Bottom Of The
Cement Ml Mould
1 400 28% 112 5mm

After performing the consistency test, the initial and final setting time tests were performed on the cement. For performing the initial
setting time test Vicat’s apparatus conforming to IS:5513-1976 was used in the lab. Initial setting time was found to be 200 minutes and
the final setting time was found to be 350 minutes The values are in compliance with the requirements of IS 1489:1991. The specific
gravity of the cement was found to be 2.9 by using the pycnometer method in the lab. The compressive strength of the cement after
performing the test was found to be 20 N/mm2 after 3 days , after 7 days it was found to be 28 N/mm2, and after 28 days it was found to
be 36N/mm2. The values are in compliance with the requirements of IS 1489:1991. The soundness test of the cement was performed by
Le-chatelier test apparatus conforming to IS:5514-1969 and it was found to be0.5mm. The specific gravity of the fine aggregates using
pycnometer method was found to be 2.72.
Observations for all in aggregates used
S.No Size of River Sand and crusher Dust 20mm and 10mm aggregates 50-50 mixture of col3
Sieve mixture mixture and col4
1 80 100 100 100
2 40 100 100 100
3 20 100 94 97
4 4.75 96 2.34 49.17
5 600μ 71.4 - 28.56
6 150μ 4.8 - 1.92
The mixture is in compliance with the IS code and the total mixture of aggregates act as 20 mm nominal size aggregate. So while
calculating mix design all in aggregates will be treated as 20 mm. Properties like air voids and water absorption will be seen against
20mm size in IS 10262:2009.

4.1 MIX DESIGN OF CONCRETE

Type of mix = M35 RCC
Exposure =Moderate
Cement = PPC conforming to IS1489:1991(ACC BRAND)
Fine aggregates= Mixture of river sand and crusher dust(60%-40%)
Coarse aggregates=Mixture of 20mm and 10mm coarse aggregates(60%-40%)
Degree of Quality control=Good
Slump Required=100 mm
Plasticizer=MasterPolyheed 8100

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4.2 VALUES OF PROPERTIES INVOLVED IN CALCULATIONS
a)CEMENT
Specific gravity =2.9
Grade=M35
Consistency=28%
Initial setting time=200 minutes
Final Setting Time=350 minutes
Fineness=4.5
Soundness= 0.5 mm

b)FINE AGGREGATES
Specific gravity =2.72
Surface Moisture =0.6%
c)COARSE AGGREGATES
Specific gravity=2.67
Water absorption=0.2%
Type=20 mm graded.

4.3 DESIGN MIX CALCULATIONS:

1) Calculation of Target Mean Strength:
ftm =fck +1.65×S
From IS 10262:2009, for M35, S=5.0
ftm=35+1.65×5=43.25 N/mm2

2) Selection of water cement ratio:

For Moderate exposure,
From IS10262:2009 w/c=0.3
And from Table 5 of IS 456 2000 maximum w/c=0.5
Adopt w/c ratio=0.45

3) Determination of Water content:

From Table 2 of IS 10262
Max water content for 20 mm=186 litres(for 25 to 50 mm slump range)
Estimated Water content for 100 mm slump=1.06×186
=197.16 litres.
As admixture is used, water content can be reduced by 8%
Hence,water content=197.16×0.92=181.39 litres.

4) Calculation of cement content:

From Table 5 of is 456:2000
For Moderate exposure,
Minimum cement content = 300kg/m3
Hence, cement content=181.39/0.45=403 kg/m3

5) Calculation of volume proportion of coarse and fine aggregate content:

From Table 3 of IS 10262-2009, volume of coarse aggregate corresponding to 20 mm size aggregates & fine aggregates Zone III for
w/c=0.5 is 0.64.
But Actual w/c=0.45
Hence, corrected proportion of volume of CA=0.01+0.64=0.65
Proportion of volume of fine aggregate=1-0.65=0.35

6) Design Mix Calculation (IS 10262)

a)Volume of Concrete=1 m3
b) Volume of cement= (mass of cement)/(specific gravity of cement ×1000)
=403/(2.9×1000)=0.139 m3
c) Volume of water= (181.39)/1000=0.181 m3
d)volume of admixture
Assume dosage as 1.2% by weight of cementitious material and specific gravity of admixture=1.121
Hence, volume=(0.012×403)/(1.121×1000)=0.0043 m3
e) volume of all aggregates(coarse +fine)
=volume of concrete – ( volume of cement+ volume of water+ volume of admixture)
=1-(0.139+0.181+0.004)
=0.676 m3

f) mass of coarse aggregates:

=volume of all aggregates × proportion of CA×G×1000
=0.676×0.65×2.6×1000=1142.44 kg
g) mass of fine aggregates:
Volume of all aggregates × proportion of FA×G×1000

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=0.676×0.35×2.76×1000=653kg

7) Mix proportions:
S.no MATERIALS QUANTITY(kg/m3)
1 Cement 403
2 Water 181.39
3 20 mm aggregates 685.5
4 10 mm aggregates 457
5 River Sand 391.8
6 Crusher dust 261.2
7 Plasticizer 4.82

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

To know the hardening properties of concrete the following tests are conducted on the specimens for 7 and 28 days from time of mixing
the water to the dry materials
1. Compressive strength test (Cubes)
2. Split tensile strength test (Cylinders)
GRADE OF CONCRETE: M35
 Compressive strength test (Cubes)

A) ADDITION OF NO HAIR FIBER

Cube no 7 day strength 28 day strength

READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa
1 71 31.56 100 44.44
2 67 29.78 98 43.55
3 65 28.89 97 43.11
Average 67.67 30.08 98.33 43.7

B) ADDITION OF 1% HAIR FIBER (BY WEIGHT OF CEMENT)

Cube no 7 day strength 28 day strength

READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa
1 70 30.22 100 44.44
2 68 31.11 98 43.55
3 67 29.8 100 44.44
Average 68.33 30.37 99.33 44.14

C) ADDITION OF 1.5% HAIR FIBER (BY WEIGHT OF CEMENT)

Cube no 7 day strength 28 day strength

READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa
1 70 31.11 102 45.33
2 66 29.33 98 43.55
3 74 32.88 104 46.22
Average 70 31.11 101.33 45.03

D) ADDITION OF 2% HAIR FIBER (BY WEIGHT OF CEMENT)

Cube no 7 day strength 28 day strength

READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa
1 75 33.33 105 46.66
2 70 31.11 102 45.33
3 72 32 104 46.22
Average 72.33 32.15 103.67 46.07

E) ADDITION OF 2.5% HAIR FIBER (BY WEIGHT OF CEMENT)

Cube no 7 day strength 28 day strength

READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa READING ON CTM STRENGTH IN MPa
1 70 31.11 102 45.33
2 74 32.8 103 45.77
3 68 30.22 102 45.33
Average 70.66 31.38 102.33 45.47

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 Split tensile strength test (Cylinders)

Percentage of hair→ 0% 1.5% 2% 2.5%

Cube no 28 day 28 day 28 day 28 day
↓
1 3.04 3 3.08 3.20
2 2.96 2.98 3.04 3.20
3 3.15 3.38 3.45 3.26
Average 3.05 3.12 3.19 3.22

TESTING OF CUBES ON CTM PREPARED SAMPLE

VI. CONCLUSION:

This research work can be concluded under following points as per the results.
 According to the test performed it is observed that there is increment in properties of concrete according to the percentages of hairs
by weight of concrete.
 Compressive strength increased by about 4-5% for 2% addition of hair fibers, about 2.5% for 1.5% addition of hair fibers, nearly
1.2% for 1% addition of hair fibers while the compressive strength starts decreasing on further increasing the fiber content.
 The splitting tensile strength also increased by about 6% for 2.5% of hair fibers added.
 It is well observed that the maximum increase is noticed in the addition of 2% hair fiber, by weight of concrete, in all the mixes.
 However, from earlier research papers available it becomes clear that the percentage increase in properties of concrete is greater in
case of lower concrete mixes, making the hair fiber reinforced concrete best suitable to the applications with those concrete mixes.
 Human hair waste can be effectively managed to be utilized in fiber reinforced concrete constructions.
 Crack formation and propagation are very much reduced showing that FRC can have its applications in seismic resistant
constructions.

REFERENCES
1.IS Code 383-1970
2.IS Code 456-2000
3. IS Code 1489-1991
4.IS Code 10262-2009
5. Jain D. and Kothari A :Hair Fiber Reinforced Concrete. Research Journal of Recent Sciences Vol. 1(ISC-2011), 128-133(2012)
6. M. S. Shetty: concrete technology (Theory and practice)
7. Neville A.M., Properties of Concrete, (2005)
8.www.ijrat.org(International Journal website)

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