Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Aspect Ratio of Pineapple Leaf Fibers
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Date
2023-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The paper aims to investigate the influence of incorporating PALF (pineapple leaf fiber) on the
mechanical properties of concrete, with a particular focus on the aspect ratio of PALF. This study
has to search thoroughly into how varying the aspect ratio of PALF affects the overall performance
of concrete as a construction material. The research methodology involves incorporating different
aspect ratios of PALF into concrete mixtures, followed by a thorough examination of the resulting
mechanical properties. The aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the length to the diameter or width of
the PALF fibers, is a critical parameter to study because it can significantly impact the behavior of
the composite material. The study will employ various mechanical tests, such as tensile strength,
compressive strength and flexural strength, to assess how the different aspect ratios of PALF affect
these properties. Additionally, the work will investigate the durability and long-term performance
of concrete with PALF reinforcements, considering factors like moisture absorption and aging.
Furthermore, the paper will investigate into the implications of the findings for practical
applications in the construction industry. Understanding how the aspect ratio of PALF influences
concrete's mechanical properties can provide valuable insights for designing sustainable and highperformance
concrete composites.
In addition to the investigation of PALF's impact on concrete properties, this research shows the
influence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatments on enhancing PALF's properties. These
treatments are important to mitigate the hydrophilic nature of the fibers, thereby improving their
compatibility with hydrophobic fibers within the concrete matrix. The study systematically
analyzes the effects of different concentrations of NaOH on the PALF fibers, specifically Alkali 1
wt., Alkali 2 wt., Alkali 4 wt., and Alkali 8 wt. The concrete samples are subjected to testing at
different time intervals: the 7th day (representing the initial stage) and the 28th day (representing the
final settling period). Moreover, this investigation is carried out in conjunction with varying aspect
ratios of PALF, which include 150, 450, 750, and 1050. the result show that 150 is shown an
incremental improvement when compared to the control mix and 450 is the optimum amount of
PALF to enhance all three mechanical properties in the other way 1050 aspect ratio showing a
significant decrease in strength and the 750 aspect ratio exhibiting a decline compared to the control
mix.
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Keywords
compressive strength, concrete, flexural strength, split tensile strength, mechanical property, chemical composition, aspect ratio, pineapple leaf fiber (PALF).