Experimental Investigation of Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Coir Fibres

Abstract

Many researchers have investigated alternative sources to overcome the problem of conventional building material polluting the environment by the development of green self-compacting concrete in the construction industry. The best alternative solution is to utilise non-conventional construction materials like agricultural wastes. Meanwhile, self-compacting concrete (SCC) is considered as high strength as well as high-performance concrete. The demerits, which include tensile and flexural strength, can be improved by incorporating coir fibres. The utilisation of coir fibres also modifies self-compacting concrete performance after cracking and improves the toughness. This study defines an experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete containing coir fibres (CF) with different percentages being 0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% at 7- and 28-days water curing. The mechanical properties include the slump flow and compressive and tensile strength were examined. The outcomes demonstrated that a required slump flow for self-compacting concrete was achieved using coir fibres up to 1%, beyond which it reduced the slump significantly. The length of fibre and proportion of fibres directly affected the workability. The compressive strength was 10% to 15% enhanced with the incorporation of coir fibres up to 0.5%; after that, the strength was slightly reduced, and tensile strength was 30% to 50% improved compared to conventional self-compacting concrete up to 1% of coir fibres incorporation in the SCC mix, after which it rapidly reduced.