Human Hair Fibre Reinforced Concrete

Abstract: - Human hair is a waste product and its disposal is concern for environment due to
its non-biodegradable nature. The human hairs possess similar properties to that of other
synthetic fibers. The hair fiber reinforced concrete is the type of concrete the mixture of
concrete with discontinuous discrete fibers which results in the tensile strength and also
reduces the growth of micro cracks in the concrete. It is observed that hair fibers can
successfully be used in concrete and it also results in improvement of mechanical properties
of concrete.

Introduction: - Concrete has enough strength in compression but it is weak in tension

hence it should be reinforced either with steel or different types of fibers so that tensile
strength of concrete can be increased and to make concrete strong, durable and less
susceptible to tension. Fiber reinforced concrete is the mixture of concrete with
discontinuous discrete fibers. Various types of fibers like steel, glass, synthetic fibers such
as polypropylene fibers, and coconut fiber is used in concrete. There are additional chance
to use completely different material as fibers in concrete, human hair being one in every of
them and thought of as a junk. Human hairs accumulation causes several environmental
problems but, it can be conjointly used as fiber in concrete. Incorporation of human hairs to
the concrete improves concrete properties such as compressive strength, binding properties,
small cracking management along with resistance from spalling at reinforcement and
concrete bond. Therefore, human hairs which are in relative abundance in nature and are
non-degradable, provides good option in fiber reinforced concrete. Human hair has high
tensile strength makes it adequate to use a copper wire with similar diameter. Hair being a
non-degradable matter is making associate degree environmental downside thus its use as
a fiber reinforcing material would minimize the matter. It is in abundance and at a really low
price. It reinforces the mortar and prevents it from spalling.

The study was carried out by UG students of Department of Civil Engineering, Amal Jyothi
College of Engineering Kanjirapally, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Materials: - The concrete mix design grade M20A20 was carried out in accordance with IS
10262-2009. Cement content in the mix design is taken as 394 kg/m3 (PPC cement). A
sieve analysis conforming to IS 383-1970 was carried out for both the fine and coarse
aggregate (sand used for experimental study was confirmed to Zone-II & the coarse
aggregate used in this experimental study are of nominal size 20mm). The cubes
150mmx150mmx150mm were casted with and without human hair as fibre reinforcement, of
which set of 3 cubes were meant for different percentage of hair (i.e., 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%
and 2% by BWOC). All the specimens were tested for 28-day compressive strength.

RESULTS: - During the casting of test samples, it was observed that mixing of human hair in
the concrete to achieve homogeneity is a problem at concentration above1% of human hair,
resulting in balling and lumping of hair fibres which will ultimately affect the mechanical
properties of the concrete. The results are tabulated and comparison between human hair
fibre reinforced concrete and plain cement concrete are shown below
Compression Test
Sl. No % Hair Compressive Strength (N/mm2)
1 0 26.6
2 0.5 28.4
3 1 30.0
 4 1.5 26.0
5 2 22.0
Flexure Strength Test
Sl. No % Hair Flexure Strength (N/mm2)
1 0 4.67
2 0.5 4.77
3 1 5.70
4 1.5 5.72
5 2 5.68
Water absorption Test
Sl. No % Hair Dry Weight Wet Weight % Absorption
(kg) (kg)
1 0 8.388 8.652 3.14
2 0.5 8.160 8.378 2.67
3 1 8.160 8.386 2.76
4 1.5 8.392 8.631 2.83
5 2 8.394 8.640 2.94

CONCLUSION Hair is used as an additive in various percentage by weight of cement in

concrete. Strength and durability tests were conducted on hair fiber reinforced concrete and
the results shows that there is an increase in compressive strength by 12% and 22%
increase in flexural strength on addition of 1% hair fibre by weight of cement. Increase in
flexural strength indicates the reduction in micro-cracks, which is a threat to durability.
Addition of 1% hair fibre by weight of cement shows better result in strength as compared to
other percentages. Further addition shows declination in result even though there is no loss
less than the target strength. Normal reinforced concrete will be adversely affected by the
effect of moisture and other corrosive agents. The attack is due to the generation of micro
cracks in the latest stages of the concrete structures. The test result shows that due to the
incorporation of hair fiber, the durability characters can be elevated slightly. From the
durability tests, it is observed that loss of strength is reduced by addition of1% hair by weight
of cement. Hence, we can conclude that hair fibres are a profitable additive to concrete,
which diminishes the crack formation, enabling the long life of structures.

Submitted by
Vishal Koushal, Er. (C)
Quality Assurance Division, PDHEP

Ref: International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology.