Study of high-strength concrete reinforced with bamboo fibers

Abstract

Concrete is the most used construction material worldwide and, as a consequence, has a significant environmental impact. Researchers are replacing concrete components with natural and recycled materials as well as nanostructured ones to confront this problem. Accordingly, in this research we evaluated the mechanical properties of a concrete mix containing 1% of bamboo fibers. The samples also contained different amounts of fly ash and nanostructured silica as partial replacements of cement. The concrete samples were tested at three different ages; 7, 14, and 28 days. The results evinced higher compressive (22% higher) and tensile strength(17 % higher) in the specimens with the vegetal fibers compared to concrete strength without fibers. Thus, this research furthered the understanding of natural fibers and cementitious materials interactions and opens the path to design concrete with a higher loading capacity and environmentally friendlier.