An Investigation on Effects of Sisal Fiber Reinforced Concrete on Concrete Properties

One of the additional materials for sustainability and strength of concrete is Fiber Reinforced Concrete. Hence, the researcher is attempting to use sisal fiber as an effective and sustainable additive to produce good quality fiber reinforced concrete. This study aimed to examine the effects sisal fiber on the compressive and flexural strength of concrete. As well as it recommends the optimum percentage of sisal fiber percentage. Sisal fibers were brushed, lined up, and cut to obtain a 5cm length of the fiber. To produce a well-mixed fresh concrete, the fiber was added after mixing all concrete ingredients. The compressive strength was tested at the ages of 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Flexural strength was tested at ages 7 and 28 days curing. A total 45 of 150 x 150 x 150mm concrete test cubes and 30 of 50mm x 100mm x 100mm beams were cast using a mix proportion of 1:1.93:3, with water-cement ratio of 0.5. The results showed that the compressive and flexural strength increased as the sisal fiber percentage increased up to 1.5%. The optimum values of compressive and flexural strength come from concrete containing 1.5% sisal fiber. Based on the test results, the compressive strength at 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% gained 4.53%, 16.56%, and 29.69% of the average compressive strength respectively. At 2% addition of fiber, concrete lost 35.31% of strength at 28 days curing. The flexural strength at 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% sisal fiber gained 9.23%, 12.1% and 9% of strength respectively, while at 2% the addition of sisal fibber lost 15% of strength at 28 days curing. Therefore, the addition of sisal plant fiber increased both compressive and flexural strength up to 1.5% fiber by weight of cement compared to the control group of concrete 1.5% of sisal fiber is recommended.