ISSN XXXX XXXX © 2017 IJESC

Research Article Volume 7 Issue No.4

Concrete Reinforced with Coconut Fibres

V.Sai Uday 1 , B.A jitha2
M.Tech Student 1 , Assistant Professor2
Depart ment of Civ il Engineering
JNTUA College of Engineering, Ananthapuram, AP, India

Abstract:
This experiment describes the behavioral study of coconut fibre in concrete structure. The addition of coconut fibre in concrete
improves various engineering properties of concrete. Coconut fibre is treated as natural fiber before using in concrete. Addition of
coconut fibre improves the compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength of concrete. The experiment was
conducted on high strength concrete with the addition of fiber with 5 mix proportions (1% , 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) by the weight of
cement. The comp ressive strength and split tensile strength of cured concrete evaluated for 3days,7days, 28days.The study found the
optimu m fiber content to be at 1%(by the weight of the cement).This results show coconut fiber can be used in construction.

Keywords: Coconut coir fibre, Co mpressive Strength, Split Tensile St rength.

I. INTRODUCTION:
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in all
over the world. Concrete is weak in tension and flexure so it is
reinforced with steel reinfo rcing bars. Various types of fibres
were used in concrete to it make mo re strong, durable and
economical. Natural fibre such as coconut having physical and
mechanical characteristics that can be used in the development
of reinforced concrete material. These coconut fibres are easily
available in large quantity and are also cheap. The primary goal
of this project is to study the properties of concrete by
reinforcing with coconut fibres and the following objectives
have been founded: To determine the Co mpressive Strength and
Split Tensile Strength of concrete after addition of coconut
fibres.To know the performance of coconut fibres in reinforced
concrete to reduce cracking. The advantage of using such fibres
provides generally a low cost construction and the elimination of
the need for waste disposal in landfills. Utilization of these fibres
in concrete leads to an effective solid waste management
Technique.The introduction of fibres is a solution to develop
concrete with enhanced Compressive Strength and Split tensile
strength, which is a new form of binder that could combine
Portland cement in bonding with cement.
Fibre Reinforced Concrete, there are four categories namely,
SFRC – Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete
GFRC – Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete
SNFRC – Synthetic Fib re Reinfo rced Concrete and
NFRC – Natural Fibre Reinforced Concrete
In this project we have used natural fibers.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW:
Mahyuddin Ramli, et, (3) studied the strength and durability of
coconut fiber reinforced concrete in aggressive environments.
The aim was to reduce the development of cracks in structures
by introducing coconut fibers. Do mke P. V et.,(4) had
investigated the use of natural and agricultural waste products
like coconut fibers and rice husk ash to enhance the properties of
concrete and their studies describes the strength of the concrete.
III. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY:
The follo wing materials were used for preparing the concrete
mix.
ACC cement of 53 grade.
1. Fine aggregate i.e. sand
2. Coarse aggregate
3. Coconut fibers
4. SP430
5. Water
Ordinary Portland cement of grade 53 A CC cement was used in
the project. The fine aggregate was natural sand which is freely
available and the coarse aggregate having a size of 16mm and
10mm (s maller size aggregate as suitable for the mould used for
casting).The fibres were coconut fibres with length 6mm with
approximate mean aspect ratio.
Coconut Coir Fi bre:
Fibres were co llected fro m the local temples, cleaned, sun dried,
removed dust to analyze its properties. Coconut fibres require no
pre-treat ment, except for water treat ment. Coconut Fibre
Coconut has high water absorption. Due to this property, the
coconut fibres were pre soaked in water for 24 hours.

Majid Ali, et. A l., (1) He studied the mechanical and dynamic
properties of coconut fibre rein forced concrete (CFRC. He
investigated thon the mix proportions of 2%, 3% and 5% fibre
contents by mass of cement and fibre lengths of 2.5, 5 and 7.5
cm is investigated. Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan, et. (2) Have
investigated the physical and mechanical characteristics of
concrete after adding coconut fiber on a volume basis. Figure 1 : Coconut Fi ber

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2017 10436 http://ijesc.org/
Details of Test: The follo wing tests are performed on concrete Co mpressive Testing Machine (C.T.M), and load was applied.
blocks reinforced with coconut fiber The readings were recorded up to the final crack of the cube and
 Workability compressive strength was calculated. The results of Co mpressive
 Co mpressive strength strength are shown in Table. Calculations: Co mpressive Strength
 Split tensile strength = Maximu m load/Cross Sectional Area = P/A
Three cubes (150*150* 150mm) and three cylinders
(150* 300mm) for each mix were casted and tested for Table.1.Compressive strength
compression and split tensile strength for 3,7,28 days. After Curing 2% 4%
casting specimens were tested with the help of compression days 0% 1% 3% 5%
testing machine.
3 days 34.37 35.62 33.16 31.25 28.93 26.66
IV. TES TING PROCEDUR E:
7 days 46.25 47.16 43.25 40.72 38.19 35.27
MIXING PROCEDURE:
Firstly the aggregates were placed on the floor and it is mixed
with the fine aggregate. After that a layer of coconut fibre was 28 64.93 66.52 62.78 58.36 56.86 53.73
mixed with coarse and fine aggregates after that a second layer days
of coconut fiber is mixed along with the cement. It is thoroughly
mixed and at the last water is added to form concrete mix.

Curing:
The specimens were removed fro m the moulds after 24 hours of
casting and they are put in a water pond until for testing. Some
of the specimens were removed fro m the water after 3, 7 and 28
days of submersion in water for testing the specimens for 3,7and
28-days strength.

TES T RES ULTS :

A. Compressive Strength: Co mp ressive strength is defined as
resistance of concrete to axial loading. Cubes were placed in

Compressive strength at 3 days N/mm 2

40
35.62
Compressive strength

34.47 33.16
31.35
30 28.93
26.66
N/mm2

20
compressive strength
10 at 3 days N/mm2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
coconut fiber %

Compressive strength at 7 days N/mm 2

50 47.16
46.25 43.25
40.72
Compressive strength N/mm2

40 38.19
35.27
30

20 compressive strength at
7 days N/mm2
10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
coconut fiber %

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2017 10437 http://ijesc.org/
 compressive strength at 28 days N/mm 2
70 66.52
Compressive strength N/mm2 64.93 62.78
60 58.36
53.73
50 56.86
40
30 compressive strength at 28
20 days N/mm2
10
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
coconut fiber %

The compressive strength was conducted on the cubes (45 Table.1. S plit Tensile Strength
cubes,150×150×150mm) with varying fibre content Curing 2% 4%
(0%,1%,2%,3%,4%,5%)as represented graphically and fro m the days 0% 1% 3% 5%
graph it shows that the maximu m co mpressive strength was
founded at 1% which is slightly higher than the plain mix. In 3 days 3.09 3.25 2.94 2.78 2.52 2.25
addition of the coconut fiber the compressive strength goes on
decreasing.
7 days 3.54 3.75 3.48 3.13 2.95 2.74
B. Split Tensile Strength:
Cylinders were placed in Compressive Testing Machine
(C.T.M), and load was applied. The readings were recorded up
to the final crack of the cylinder and Split tensile Strength was 28 4.39 4.54 4.25 3.96 3.74 3.58
days
calculated. Cylinders are calculated by using the formula
PL/πDL Where P=load, L=clear span length, D=diameter of the
specimenThe values were shown in the table:

Split Tensile Strength at 3 days N/mm2

3.5 3.25
3.09 2.94
3 2.78
Split Tensile StrengthN/mm2

2.52
2.5 2.25
2
split tensile strength
1.5 at 3 days N/mm2
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Coconut fiber %

Split Tensile strength at 7 days N/mm 2

4 3.75
3.54 3.48
Slit Tensile Strength

3.13
3 2.95
2.74
N/mm2

2
Split Tensile strength
at 7 days N/mm2
1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Coconut Fiber %

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2017 10438 http://ijesc.org/
 Split Tensile Strength at 28 days N/mm 2
5
4.39 4.54
4.5 4.25
Split Tensile Strength N/mm2

3.96
4 3.74 3.58
3.5
3
2.5
Split Tensile Strength
2
at 28 days N/mm2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Coconut fiber %

3. Since by addition of fibers in the concrete the strengths of the

specimens get decreasing and it can be conclude that the fibre
should not be used beyond 1%.

VI. REFER ENCES :

[1]. A li Majid, Anthony Liu, "Mechanical and Dynamic

Properties of Coconut Fibre Reinforced Concrete." Construction
and Building Materials”. Reed Business Information, Inc. (US).
2012.

[2]. Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan, HabiburRah manSobuz, Md.

The Split Tensile strength was conducted on the cylinders (45
Shiblee Sayed and Md. Saiful Islam, “The Use of Coconut fibre
cylinders,150×300mm) with varying fibre content (0%,1%, 2%,
in the Production of Structural Lightweight Concrete”.
3%,4%,5%)as represented graphically and fro m the graph it
shows that the maximu m Tensile strength was founded to be at
[3]. Kshitija nadgouda, “coconut fibre reinforced concrete”
1% of the coconut fiber which is slightly higher than the plain
Proceedings of Thirteenth IRF International Conference, 14th
mix concrete. Tensile strength of the cylinder will decrease if the
September 2014, Chennai, India .
percentage of the coir is increased.
[4]. Yalley, P. P. and Kwan, Alan ShuKhen. “Use of coconut
Workability:
fibre as an enhancement of concrete”. Journal of Engineering
Slu mp value is zero for all the mixes.
and Technology 3, Pages 54-73. 2009.
Vee-Bee:
[5]. Do mke P. V., “Imp rovement in the strength of concrete by
Due to the increase in the fiber content the time will also
using industrial and agricultural waste”. IOSR Journal of
increases.
Engineering, Vo l. 2(4), Pages 755-759. April 2012.
Vee- Mix Mix Mix Mix Mix
Bee 1 2 3 4 5
[6].Paramasivam P, Nathan G. K., Das Gupta N. C., “Coconut
7 9 12 16 20
Fibre reinforced corrugated slabs”, International Journal of
Cement Co mposites and Lightweight Concrete, Volu me 6, Issue
Compaction factor: 1, Pages 19-27. 1984.
Co mpaction factor will decreases with the increase of the
coconut fiber. [7]. kshitija nadgouda, “coconut fibre reinforced concrete”
Co mpaction Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Proceedings of Thirteenth IRF International Conference, 14th
factor September 2014, Chennai, India, ISBN: 978-93-84209-51-3
0.744 0.732 0.722 0.715 0.708

V. CONCLUS IONS:

1.Coconut fiber being low in density reduces the weight of the

fiber reinforced concrete
2. The compressive strength and Split Tensile Strength of the
concrete gets the maximu m value at the mix1.

International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, April 2017 10439 http://ijesc.org/