1st International Conference on High Performance Energy Efficient Buildings and Homes (HPEEBH 2018)

August 1-2, 2018, Lahore, Pakistan

Experimental and Finite Element Analysis on Thermal Conductivity of Fiber

Reinforced Building Materials
Nazish Munir
Graduate Student, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
nazishmunir1234@gmail.com

Khuram Rashid
Assisstant Professor, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
khuram_ae@uet.edu.pk

Iqra Hanif, Amber Shahid

Graduate Student, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Iqrahanif44@gmail.com , ambershahid888@gmail.com

Abstract
In recent years, the construction industry has seen a significant rise in the use of natural and synthetic
fibers, for producing energy efficient building materials. Plant-based natural fibres are low cost renewable
materials with less embodied energy and less carbon emission. The types of fibers used in the study are
jute, sisal, polyester (waste), bamboo and coconut coir added 1% by weight of cement and clay in
preparation of mortar (FRM) and brick (FRB) specimens, respectively. Experimental and analytical
studies were conducted to investigate the influence of fibers on thermal properties of FRM and FRB. The
experimental results show that the use of fibers has considerably decreased the thermal conductivity of
mortar and brick. Jute and bamboo fiber showed highest reduction of 10% while 4%, 8% and 6% by sisal,
polyester and coconut coir respectively, in FRM samples, as compared to reference specimen (without
any fiber). Whereas in FRB samples, coconut coir decreased thermal conductivity by 18% while Jute,
sisal, polyester and bamboo showed 6%, 9%, 16% and 11% reduction respectively. Analytical models
were developed by using finite element platform of ANSYS AIM 18.2, all experimental results were
simulated and a close correspondence was observed between experimental and analytical values. The
work presented herein is a significant step towards the modeling of composites for investigation and
prediction of its thermal behavior using dynamic analysis environment.

Keywords
Fibers; Mortar; Brick; Thermal conductivity; Finite Element Analysis

1. Introduction

The requirements of sustainable development and environmental protection have increased the needs of
improvement and innovation of conventional building materials for energy efficient approach. Concrete is
one of the most widely used man-made building materials in the world due to its unique properties (Zhou,
Saini et al. 2017). Whereas earthen masonry is considered to be the backbone of housing construction in
developing countries being economical, and energy efficient (Raut and Gomez 2017). However, concrete
is a brittle material that exhibits low tensile strength, strain capacity, fracture toughness, and poor energy
absorption (Zhou, Saini et al. 2017). whereas, earthen masonry bricks have low tensile strength and
ductility (Binici, Aksogan et al. 2007). Therefore, organic and synthetic fibers can be used to reinforce
concrete and bricks in order to improve its tensile strength, durability characteristics, resistance against
shrinkage cracking, enhance ductility and thermal performance (Oliver and Gharbi 1995, Mesbah, Morel
et al. 2004, Binici, Aksogan et al. 2005, Prasad, Nambiar et al. 2012). However, in context with
sustainability and energy efficiency, the uses of fibers from plant and waste have gained recognition. The
use of renewable material like natural fiber reinforcement can be traced back almost 5,000 years; where
the Egyptians used straw fibers to reinforce mud blocks for building walls .Nowadays, natural fibers are
being incorporated in different cementitious composite for improvement in impact resistance, flexural
strength and insulation owing to their light weight and flexibility (Zhou, Saini et al. 2017).

There are three types of natural fibers available: animal-based, mineral-derived and plant-based. Plant-
based fibers include cotton, hemp, jute, flax, ramie, sisal, bagasse etc (Onuaguluchi and Banthia 2016).
Mostafa and Uddin (2016) examined the flexural and compressive strength of compressed earth blocks
(CEB) using banana and observed increase in compressive strength. Spadea, Farina et al. (2015)
researched on tensile strength of recycled nylon fibers as cement mortar reinforcement. Satisfactory
failure modes and very low dispersion in peak loads were observed. The impact resistance test results
reported by Ramakrishna and Sundararajan (2005) show that the impact resistance of plant-based fibre
reinforced mortar slabs was 3-18 times higher than those of the unreinforced slabs. According to
Munawar, Umemura et al. (2007) coconut fibre is the toughest natural fibre and is proven to be very
beneficial in reducing the brittleness associated with cement based composites. Researchers have also
observed improvement in thermal and mechanical performance by incorporation of fibers in composites
experimentally and analytically. Research findings by Khedari, Watsanasathaporn et al. (2005) showed
that compared to unreinforced samples; coir fibre reinforced soil-cement blocks were not only lighter but
also had reduced thermal conductivity. Nagy, Nehme et al. (2015) incorporated steel, plastic and glass
fibers in concrete and observed decrease in its thermal conductivity verified with numerical thermal
modelling and analytical investigation using Autodesk Simulation CFD software. Mishra (2018) studied
the suitability of 3D woven fabrics as reinforcement in concrete with finite element modeling (FEM)
approach adopted to predict its maximum deformation, equivalent stress, and ductility. The predicted
results were validated with experimental samples. Islam, Khatun et al. (2014) analyzed and validated the
finite element models, modelled in the finite element (FE) platform of ANSYS 10.0 and solid65 element
with experimental shear capacities of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) as well as the plain concrete.
A practical 3D numerical model was studied by Hameed, Sellier et al. (2011) to predict the mechanical
behavior of concrete matrix reinforced with sliding metallic fibers. The proposed models for FRC were
suggested to be easy to implement in most of the finite element codes based on displacement formulation

Thermal conductivity (k) is defined as ability of material to transmit heat (Lienhard 2013) measured
experimentally using steady-state methods or transient methods. It can also be analyzed by using Finite
Element Analysis (FEA). FEA simulations enable experimentation on a valid digital representation of a
system by solving equation at each node of the computerized model. Analytical analysis for investigating
the thermal behavior of real world example includes sketching, meshing, modelling and accurate
definition of boundary conditions for accurate results. (Islam, Khatun et al. 2014)

The objective of the research work is to promote the use of natural and waste fibers in construction
materials as a sustainable solution for insulation. Also to investigate extend of improvement in thermal
performance of mortar and brick reinforced with these fibers on the basis of both experimental evaluation
and analytical verification. The study also aims to highlight the efficiency and reliability of FE models for
analytical thermal investigation.

2. Experimental Work
Experimentation was conducted in this research work for evaluating the thermal conductivity of FRM and
FRB specimens. Material used and their mix proportion along with preparation of specimens and testing
are presented in the following sub-section.

2.1 Materials and preparation of specimens

Plant based fibers were collected from local nurseries in Lahore, Pakistan and polyester fiber from the
waste. The fibers were washed and cut to length of 10mm after sun dried for 2 days. Before inclusion of
fibers in mortar and soil, the fibers were soaked in water for 30 min as a pretreatment. Fibers were added
by 1% weight of cement and soil in increments with successive mixing by hand after each increment, in
order to avoid lumps as shown in the Figure 1. The mix proportion is given in Table 1 and Table 2. The
mixing was continued until fibers were uniformly dispersed in the cement and soil. Afterwards, water was
added and mixed thoroughly. The specimens were casted in moulds of diameter and height 30 mm. After
24 h, Fiber reinforced mortar specimens were demoulded and submerged in water for 28 days whereas the
Fiber reinforced brick specimens were first sun-dried for 1 day and then transferred to an electric oven for
burning under gradually increased temperature from 100ºC to 700ºC by 100ºC for 7 days. After curing
and baking the mortar and brick samples were tested for thermal conductivity respectively.

(a) Mixing of fibers in cement and soil (b) FRB specimens after sun drying

(C) Curring of FRM specimens (d) FRM specimens after curring (e) Baked FRB specimens

Figure 1: Method for preparation of FRM and FRB specimens

Table 1: Mix proportion of FRM specimen Table 2: Mix proportion of FRB specimens

Cement Sand Water W/C Fibers Fibers Soil Water Water W/S Fibers Fibers
(g) (g) (ml) ratio % (g) (g) (ml) % ratio % (g)
11 33 6.6 0.6 1 0.11 64 10.88 17 0.17 1 0.64

2.2 Thermal Conductivity Test

Thermal conductivity test was performed according to ASTM C177 - 13. Thermal conductivity
measurements were made by using Heat Conduction Apparatus. The surfaces of the specimen were
cleaned and thermal paste was applied for better heat conduction. The specimen was placed into the
apparatus and clamped. The nine thermocouples inserted measured temperature at nine positions. Power
was adjusted according to the material of specimen and sufficient time was allowed (20 - 30 min) until the
temperature achieved at every measuring point became stable. After achieving steady state condition,
temperatures (T) against all 9 thermocouples were noted. Value of current (I) and voltage (V) were also
noted from apparatus to calculate heat flow (Q). Temperature profile was plotted with distance between
thermocouples (mm) on x-axis and temperature variation (°C) on y-axis. Slope dT/dx was obtained from
temperature profile. Thermal conductivity (k) was calculated by using Eq. (2) (Lienhard 2013).
(2)

Where, k = Thermal conductivity (W/mK), Q = Heat flow (watts), A = Area (m2), dx = Distance between
thermocouples (m), dT = Temperature difference (K)

3. Analytical Analysis

ANSYS supports steady state thermal analysis. A steady-state thermal analysis calculates the effects of
steady thermal loads on a system or component which do not vary over time. For finding out the thermal
conductivity value for each of the specimen, steady state thermal analysis was used. Three different
analytical models as shown in Figure 2 were developed for each FRM and FRB specimen due to different
possible orientation of fiber area.

(a) Horizontal orientation of fiber (b) Vertical orientation of fiber (c) Random orientation of fiber area
area area

Figure 2: Schematics of different orientation of fiber area in analytical models

The fiber area was calculated using ratios between masses of sample, cement and fibers. Masses were
converted to volume using density relationship as in experimentation; the fibers were taken by mass of
cement not by volume. The fiber area in brick specimens was more as compared with mortar specimens
owing to greater mass of soil than cement. Material properties were defined using individual thermal
conductivity values of each of the component of specimens as engineering data as shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Thermal conductivity values of fibers

Sr No. Fibers K value Reference

1 Jute 0.05 – 0.08 (Vigneswaran, Chandrasekaran et al. 2009)
2 Sisal 0.067 (Neira and Marinho 2005)
3 Polyester 0.06 (Abdel-Rehim, Saad et al. 2006)
4 Bamboo 0.0728 (Ramanaiah, Prasad et al. 2012)
5 Coconut 0.048 (Rodríguez, Yáñez-Limón et al. 2011)

The two dimensional drawn sketch of the each specimen using ANSYS Design Modeler is shown in
Figure 3. The models were sketched in accordance with the assembly of heat conduction apparatus used
in experimentation. The sketched model was meshed and assigned with material properties in ANSYS
mechanical modeler. Finite Element modeling requires optimum mesh size for better analysis. A suitable
mesh size helps to achieve sufficient accuracy and also saves time. Mesh size may vary in the analysis of
a single structure. Different mesh alignments generally give slightly varying solutions. In fact in real life
problems mesh size is constantly refined to get a representative solution. To get accurate results, simple
face meshing was used. The constant temperature at hot and cold end of specimens along with heat flow
values was also assigned in modeler as boundary conditions.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

Figure 3: Schematics of analytical models : FRM specimens (a-c) and FRB specimens (d-f)

Simulations were performed after the boundary conditions were defined for each fiber reinforced sample.
The two solutions retrieved i.e. the heat flux from the surface and temperature gradient value from
exported temperature profile as an output were retrieved to calculate thermal conductivity of each sample
by using Eq. (3) (Bheemreddy, Chandrashekhara et al. 2013, Lienhard 2013).
From Fourier’s Law,
(3)

Where, ⱷq = Heat flux Wm-2, k = Thermal conductivity W/mK, = temperature gradient k/m

4. Results and Data Discussions

The results obtained from experimental and analytical work, for investigation of thermal conductivity of
FRM and FRB specimens is discussed in the following sub-section.

4.1 Experimental discussion

The results for thermal conductivity test are summarized in Figure 4 for FRM and FRB specimens
respectively. These results clearly show the decrease in thermal conductivity values upon addition of
fibers to the specimen. It is important finding that these decreased thermal conductivity values are
associated with the increase in air spaces within the specimen upon addition of the fibers. It can be said
that due to increase of pores in the fiber reinforced specimens, the decrease in bulk density led to an
increased porosity and water absorption value resulting in decreased thermal conductivity values of the
specimens. In related study Nagy, Nehme et al. (2015) and Boukhattem, Boumhaout et al. (2017)
observed the similar relation. According to Nagy, Nehme et al. (2015) fibers can brings air to the
specimen, and increase total porosity, resulting lower density and thermal conductivity.

Figure 4: Experimental thermal conductivity values of FRM and FRB specimens

In case of mortar specimens, it is noticeable that the highest reduction is offered by jute and bamboo fiber
reinforced specimen where sisal offered the lowest one The reason for the high and low reduction can
also be the thermal conductivity value of fiber itself, the size of the fiber and amount of air brought to the
specimen. In case of FRB specimens, highest reduction is offered by specimen with coconut coir fibers
and lowest by jute fibers. The reason for high reduction by the coconut coir might be its high porosity and
size. Whereas, the small diameter of jute fiber can be the reason for lowest reduction in thermal
conductivity value of FRB specimen.

4.2 Analytical discussion

For the validation of FEA thermal conductivity values with that of the results gained from
experimentation, the temperature profile curves were compared for each fiber reinforced specimens. The
curve of temperature profile obtained from FEA of fiber reinforced mortar and brick samples follow the
curve of experimental temperature profile but in conservative fashion due to high factor of safety as
shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 which satisfactorily demonstrates the accuracy of the FE model of fiber
reinforced samples. The FEA results in the most cases found to be more or less conservative with respect
to the experimental outcomes which also ensure higher factor of safety and reliability of models. The
Figure 7 and Figure 8 show that the simulated values are much closer to experimental values. The close
correspondence between experimental and FEA values for mortar and brick specimens enhances the
confidence of the validity of FEA modelling and analysis.
(a) Jute fiber reinforced mortar (b) Sisal fiber reinforced mortar (c) Polyester fiber reinforced
specimen specimen mortar specimen

(d) Bamboo fiber reinforced mortar specimen (e) Coconut fiber reinforced mortar specimen

Figure 5: Validation of temperature profile of FRM specimens

(a) Jute fiber reinforced brick (b) Sisal fiber reinforced brick (c) Polyester fiber reinforced brick
specimen specimen specimen

(d) Bamboo fiber reinforced brick specimen (e) Coconut fiber reinforced brick specimen

Figure 6: Validation of temperature profile of FRB specimens

Figure 7: Validation of thermal conductivity of Figure 8: Validation of thermal conductivity of
FRM specimens FRB specimens

The small difference between the experimental and simulated values may be due to the inability to draw
exact random orientation of fibers in the sketch and limitations of student version encountering fine
meshing and application of more boundary conditions for accurate results. However, the satisfactory
comparison in experimental and analytical thermal conductivity values fully demonstrates its
applicability, which provides a beneficial reference for accurate simulation of Fiber reinforced mortar and
brick specimen using ANSYS AIM 18.2.

5. Conclusion

The following conclusion can be drawn from this investigation:

 The experimental results for thermal conductivity test on FRM specimens revealed that the
maximum reduction of 10 % was noticed in case of jute and bamboo FRM specimens. Whereas
sisal, polyester and coconut coir FRM specimens contributed in reducing 4 %, 8 % and 6 % of
thermal conductivity value respectively. Whereas, the maximum reduction of 18 % in thermal
conductivity value was observed by brick specimens reinforced with coconut coir fibers. While
Jute, sisal, polyester and bamboo FRB specimens showed 6 %, 9 %, 16 % and 11 % reduction in
thermal conductivity value respectively.
 Finite Element models of fiber reinforced mortar and brick specimens are advantageous in their
abilities to simulate the thermal behavior. The finite element analysis revealed that the
experimental and simulated thermal conductivity values showed high consistency as a small
difference of 0.2% was observed which demonstrates the reliability and efficiency of FE models.

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan, Ex-Chairman of Architectural Engineering
and Design Department, UET for his encouragement and support in our work. We would like to extend
our gratitude to Dr. Muhammad Sajid Kamran, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
department, and Mr. Safeer Abbas, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering department, UET Lahore.
The Heat and Mass transfer laboratory of University of Lahore which provided us support and equipment
is also highly appreciated.

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