Experimental Studies on Coconut

Fibre and Banana Fibre Reinforced

Concrete
PRESENTATION BY:
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:
822119103001 - B.ARUL JAYA SINDHIYA
822119103004 – G.HARIHARAN Mr KUMANAN CHAKRAVARTY

822119103005 – J.H.KELVIN RAJ DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL,

822119103304 – M.SIVAGANESH UCE-PKT
 Abstract
• This research describes experimental studies on the use of coconut
fiber and banana fiber to enhance the strength and applications of
concrete.
• These natural fibers have excellent physical and mechanical
properties and can be utilized more effectively . They are
economical (zero cost), with no chemicals.
• The addition of coconut-fibers and banana fibers significantly
improved many of the engineering properties of the concrete
notably compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength.
• The ability to resist cracking and spalling were also enhanced.
Thus it acts as a natural admixture giving additional properties to the
ordinary cement concrete.
.
 INTRODUCTION
Fibers can be in the form of coconut fiber, banana fiber, steel fiber,
glass fiber, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, etc.
They are used to reduce shrinkage cracking, control plastic shrinkage
cracking, and lower the permeability of concrete matrix.
They also enhance the toughness property of concrete, which is the
ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without
fracturing.
This research aims to experiment on the use of coconut fiber and
banana fibers as an enhancement of concrete.
 What Is reinforced concrete?
Reinforced concrete (RC), also called reinforced cement
concrete (RCC) and ferroconcrete, is a composite material in which 
concrete's relatively low tensile strength and ductility are compensated
for by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength or
ductility.
Concrete containing hydraulic cement, water, aggregate, and
discontinuous discrete fibers is called fiber reinforced concrete.
 Material Used
• Cement
Ordinary Portland cement of 43 grades available in local market was used.
• Fine Aggregate
The sand sieved through 4.75 mm sieve and retain in 600 microns sieve is used
having specific gravity of 2.6 and fineness modulus of 2.5 is used.
• Coarse Aggregate
Locally available coarse aggregate having the maximum size of 20 mm and fineness
modulus of 8.75 is used.
• Coconut Fibre
Coconut fiber is extracted from the outer shell of a coconut. Coconut fiber of diameter
1mm, tensile strength of 160 MPa and length of 40mm were used.
• Banana Fiber
The banana fiber collected as by-product in agri based industries are dried. Banana
fiber of diameter 1mm, and length of 40mm were used. Density of coconut fiber is
1.35g/cc.
• Water
Water is an important ingredient of concrete as it actually participates in the chemical
reaction with cement. Water cement ratio used in the mix is 0.50%.
 Test to Undertaken
Split Tensile Strength Test Compressive Strength Test
 conclusion

• The findings of experimental investigations on the strength

characteristics of concrete enhanced with coconut fiber and
banana fiber are in process.
 References
• [1] Agopyan, V, Vegetable fibre reinforced building materialsdevelopment in
Brazil and other Latin American countries. Concrete Technology and Design
Natural Fibre Reinforced Cement and Concrete, 5, 1998, pp. 208-240.
• [2] Bhowmick B.B. and Debnath C. R., Properties of coir, Indian coconut journal,
15,(5), 1984. p. 12.
• [3] Gram, H.E, Durability of natural fibre in concrete. Swedish Cement and
Concrete Int, 1983. 2004, pp. 4177-4188.
• [4] Mohr, B.J., Nanko, H. and Kurtis, K.E. Durability of pulp fibre-cement
composite to wet/dry cycling, Cement and Concrete Composite, June 2003a
• [5] Mohr, B.J., Nanko, H., Kurtis, K.E. Durability of pulp fibre-cement composite
to wet/dry cycling, Cement and Concrete Composite, December, 2003b.