Hairy concrete : investigating the influence of hair fibers to reinforce concrete

Abstract

Concrete is very good in compression, however, since it performs poorly in tension, it is likely to crack quite easily. Fiber reinforced concrete includes fibrous material that increase its tensile strength and cohesion, making it is less likely to crack than ordinary concrete, since the fibers will tend to hold the material together. Fiber reinforcement has been used successfully since the 19th century, with straw being used in the mixture for mud bricks. Also, horsehair was used to reinforce mortars and rendering coats. In the early 20th century asbestos fibers were used to reinforce concrete. However, this had to be replaced once the health risks associated with asbestos were identified. New fibrous materials are being used today, and the search for new fibers to reinforce concrete is on going till the present day. The aim of my research is to study the influence of natural hair in a concrete mixture, and thus, asses whether or not, natural (hair) fibers, provide the same degree of reinforcement for concrete as man made fibers, such as glass, synthetic or steel, are used. The objective is to determine; the modulus of elasticity, the volume of the proportion of the fiber, the aspect ratio, and the dispersal, direction and concentration of the fibers, in order to improve the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced concrete. Such properties include; toughness, ductility, tensile strength, shear resistance, and loading limit of concrete.