Predicting the engineering properties of concrete using acanthus montanus fibre
Predicting the engineering properties of concrete using acanthus montanus fibre
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Date
2016
Authors
Yalley, Paa Kofi Peter
Braimah, K.
Twumasi, O.W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Engineering Science Invention
Abstract
Acanthus montanus (Natural Sponge) fibre is abundant in Ghanaian forest. The Density,
Compressive, Tensile strengths and Toughness of concrete reinforced with Acanthus montanus fibre were
evaluated. A basic mix ratio of 1:1.5:3.0/0.5 (cement: sand: stones/wc) was used for the concrete with/without
fibre. Fibre weight fraction of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% was added to concrete with varying wc ratios of 0.45,
0.50 and 0.55. The specimens were prepared, cured and tested in accordance with BS1881: 1982. Specimen
with 0.75% fibre and 0.50 wc ratio had tensile strength of 4.09N/mm2
, 18% over the plain concrete. There was
improvement of toughness by about 6% over the plain concrete with 0.75% fibre addition and 0.5 wc ratio.
However, the addition of fibre did not improve the compressive strength. The specimen with 0.25% of fibre
content and w/c of 0.5 had the highest compressive strength of 38 N/mm2
, among the fibre enhanced concrete,
which is 5% lower than the plain concrete. The results of the study support the conclusion that addition of
Natural Sponge fibre up to 0.75% (by weight of cement) is suitable enhancement of concrete where the Tensile
strength and ductility of the concrete is emphasized for engineering purposes.
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Citation
Braimah, K., Yalley, P. P., & Twumasi, O. W. Predicting the engineering properties of concrete using acanthus montanus fibre.