Selected properties of concrete containing palm fibers

Abstract

Durability of concrete is one of the main concerns to improve its performance and efficiency. Furthermore, concrete durability is mainly related to concrete permeability that could be tested by its capillarity and water absorption. This study presents an experimental investigation on the mechanical and permeability properties at different ages for adding Natural Palm fibers to improve concrete properties. The compressive strength, density, UPV, total water absorption, and capillary water absorption tests were performed to evaluate the effect of fiber incorporation into the concrete on these properties at 7, 28, and 91 days. The volume percentages of fibers added to the concrete mix were 0% (Control mix), 0.5%, 1.0%, 1%, and 1.5% with water cement ratio equal to 0.5 for all concrete mixes. The results indicate that adding natural palm fibers to concrete improves most of the investigated properties especially those related to durability as water absorption and capillarity. Precisely, the water absorption of concrete decreases about 17%, 26%, 51% When using 0.5, 1, 1.5 % fiber content respectively. In addition, capillarity also decreases 16%, 24%, 32% When using 0.5, 1, 1.5 % fiber content respectively. It is concluded that adding Natural Palm fibers to concrete is a feasible strategy to produce more durable, eco-friendly material especially when adding 1.5% fiber (by volume).