Mechanical Properties and Durability Analysis of Natural Fibre

Reinforced Composites – State of Art Report

ABSTRACT
This paper deals with durability analysis of various natural fibre reinforced cement composite,
their failure mechanism and methods followed to overcome. A brief overview in mechanical
properties of various types of fibres and further their corresponding durability perspectives were
studied. It is intended as overview of mechanism of fibres for attaining corresponding strength and
their micro level understanding behind. It discusses commonly applied terminology and models of
mechanical behavior that form a basis for understanding material performance without presenting
mathematical details. Historical evaluation is envisioned to help build a background for understanding
about fracture mechanisms of FRC rather than as historical reporting. References from authors of
various time scales are included as a means of comparing methods for enhancing durability based on
need was discussed in this work.
Keywords: Mechanical properties, Fibre reinforced concrete, fibres for, mechanics of, concrete
mechanics, fibre concrete testing, strength, toughness, energy absorption.

PUBLISHED Abstract

The present experimental investigation focuses on identifying the potentially superior properties among locally economic,
natural fibres as fortifying material in the cement mortar. The four different local natural fibres of common rural usage in
South India, namely Sisal, Palmyra, Coir, and Banana, are used in the current work. The integration of fibres in the cement
mortar mix is made based on cement viz's weight, a combination of three different fibre contents of0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% in
each case fibre length, namely, 10 mm, 15 mm & 20 mm. The workability and mechanical properties determined for all the
mixes, with the latter defined in 7 days and 28 days. The experiment results showed appreciably good flexural and split
tensile strength for all the fibre composites compared to the control mix. The monitoring on the control mix's workability
and compressive strength shows that all the four natural fibre-reinforced blends gave insignificant results compared to the
control specimen. The experimental results indicate that the Sisal fibres show better results compared to all other fibres. The
proposed reinforcement scheme would assure economic feasibility and cost-effectiveness as the fibres are cheaper and
available aplenty in this region.

Keywords: Sisal fibre, Palmyra Fibre, Coir fibre, Banana fibre, Reinforcement, Mechanical properties