<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Presently, the expenditure on construction materials grows dramatically along with the enduring effect on the ecosystem, and it has led the academics to the recognition of natural plant fibres such as abaca fibre (AF) for enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete. AF is plentifully obtainable making it fairly relevant to be employed as a strengthening material in lightweight foamed concrete (LFC). Moreover, natural plant fibre-reinforced concrete has been progressively utilized in construction for several decades to decrease crack growth under the static load. This paper anticipates examining the effectiveness of the addition of AF in LFC to enhance its mechanical properties. LFC specimens of 550 kg/m<sup>3</sup> density were reinforced with AF at weight fractions of 0.00%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60%. Three parameters have been assessed which were flexural strength, compressive strength and tensile strength. The results revealed that adding 0.45% AF into LFC enables optimal compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strengths. The presence of AF augments material strength by filling spaces, micro-cracks, and gaps inside the LFC structure. Additionally, AF helped reduce crack spreading when the plastic state of the LFC cementitious matrix was loaded. Though, further, than the optimum level of AF addition, accumulation and the non-uniform distribution of AF were identified, which triggers the lowering of the LFC strength properties substantially. The output of this preliminary investigation would give a better understanding of the potential utilization of plant fibre in LFC. It is of great importance to drive the sustainable development and application of LFC material and infrastructures.</p>
</abstract>

Presently, the expenditure on construction materials grows dramatically along with the enduring effect on the ecosystem, and it has led the academics to the recognition of natural plant fibres such as abaca fibre (AF) for enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete. AF is plentifully obtainable making it fairly relevant to be employed as a strengthening material in lightweight foamed concrete (LFC). Moreover, natural plant fibre-reinforced concrete has been progressively utilized in construction for several decades to decrease crack growth under the static load. This paper anticipates examining the effectiveness of the addition of AF in LFC to enhance its mechanical properties. LFC specimens of 550 kg/m3 density were reinforced with AF at weight fractions of 0.00%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60%. Three parameters have been assessed which were flexural strength, compressive strength and tensile strength. The results revealed that adding 0.45% AF into LFC enables optimal compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strengths. The presence of AF augments material strength by filling spaces, micro-cracks, and gaps inside the LFC structure. Additionally, AF helped reduce crack spreading when the plastic state of the LFC cementitious matrix was loaded. Though, further, than the optimum level of AF addition, accumulation and the non-uniform distribution of AF were identified, which triggers the lowering of the LFC strength properties substantially. The output of this preliminary investigation would give a better understanding of the potential utilization of plant fibre in LFC. It is of great importance to drive the sustainable development and application of LFC material and infrastructures.

Influence of Untreated Abaca Fibre on Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environment

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Presently, the expenditure on construction materials grows dramatically along with the enduring effect on the ecosystem, and it has led the academics to the...

Component	Properties
Length of fibre	20 mm
Diameter of fibre	275 um
Width of lumen	16.38 um
Density of fibre	0.79 g/cm³
Angle of fibril (°)	41
Runkel ratio	0.266

Type of Test	Specimen	Testing day	No. of specimens (each mix)	Standard
Compression test	Cube (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm)	7^th, 28^th and 56^th	9	BS EN 12390-3
Flexural test	Prism (100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm)	7^th, 28^th and 56^th	9	BS EN 12390-5
Splitting tensile test	Cylinder (100 mm dia. × 200 mm)	7^th, 28^th and 56^th	9	BS EN 12390-6

Composition	%, dry weight
Cellulose (%)	41.1
Lignin (%)	21.2
Hemicellulose (%)	28.5
Ash (%)	2.3
Extractives (%)	3.9
Moisture (%)	2.6

Sample	Density (kg/m³)	Abaca fibre (kg)	Cement (kg)	Sand (kg)	Water (kg)
Control	550	0.000	16.91	25.36	7.61
0.15% AF	550	0.074	16.91	25.36	7.61
0.30% AF	550	0.149	16.91	25.36	7.61
0.45% AF	550	0.224	16.91	25.36	7.61
0.60% AF	550	0.299	16.91	25.36	7.61

Component	Properties
Modulus of elasticity (MPa)	14978
Tensile strength (MPa)	149.2
Elongation at break (%)	10.89

Influence of Untreated Abaca Fibre on Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Published Online: Jan 28, 2023

Page range: 51 - 61

Received: Mar 03, 2022

Accepted: Jun 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2022-0030

Keywords
Foamed concrete, Mechanical properties, Compressive strength, Flexural, Tensile

© 2022 Md Azree Othuman Mydin et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Physical properties of AF

Mechanical properties tests

Chemical composition of AF

Mix design proportion

Mechanical properties of AF

Influence of Untreated Abaca Fibre on Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Published Online: Jan 28, 2023

Page range: 51 - 61

Received: Mar 03, 2022

Accepted: Jun 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2022-0030

KeywordsFoamed concrete, Mechanical properties, Compressive strength, Flexural, Tensile

© 2022 Md Azree Othuman Mydin et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Physical properties of AF

Mechanical properties tests

Chemical composition of AF

Mix design proportion

Mechanical properties of AF

Keywords
Foamed concrete, Mechanical properties, Compressive strength, Flexural, Tensile