Evaluation of the Flexural Performance of Concrete FC'25 with the Addition of Coconut Fiber

Abstract

With a target compressive strength of FC'25, this study investigates how adding coconut fiber affects the flexural performance of concrete. Assessing the improvement in concrete's flexural strength and durability when natural coconut fibers are used as reinforcement instead of synthetic fibers is the main goal. The availability, sustainability, and potential to enhance the mechanical qualities of concrete led to the selection of coconut fiber. Different percentages of coconut fibers (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight of cement) were added to concrete, and tests of durability and flexural strength were performed. After 28 days of curing, flexural tests were conducted on the concrete samples to ascertain their ultimate strength, modulus of rupture, and deflection. Consistency and mixing ease were the main criteria used to assess the mixes' workability. According to the results, adding coconut fibers to concrete greatly increased its flexural strength; the mix containing 1% coconut fibers improved the most when compared to the control sample. Higher fiber contents (1.5%), however, led to decreased strength because the mixture became more porous, weakening the concrete. Additionally, the study showed that coconut fiber increased concrete's resistance to cracking, which enhanced durability. The findings indicate that coconut fiber has potential as a concrete reinforcing material, providing a cost-effective and sustainable way to improve the mechanical properties of concrete structures, particularly in applications that call for greater flexural strength and crack resistance. The potential for improving fiber content and mix design for better performance in a range of environmental situations, as well as the long-term consequences and wider uses of coconut fiber-reinforced concrete in structural engineering, should all be investigated further..