Properties Of Fibrous Lightweight Concrete Of Agave Sisalana

Abstract

This paper investigates fibrous lightweight concrete containing natural fiber of agave sisalana. The fibers were cut into 60 mm length and put into concrete mixture. Compressive strength and elastic modulus of the concrete mixture were evaluated. Seven set of cylinder specimen were considered. Each set of the specimens consisted of four cylinder specimens containing fiber volume fraction of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, and 2%. The concrete mix was designed to produce a compressive strength of 12 MPa. The test results showed the compressive strength and elastic modulus increase with the increased fiber contents from 0.5% to 1.5%. The maximum compressive strength was achieved at the addition of 1.5% fiber content which produced strength of 17 MPa. All fibrous concrete unit-weights are less than 1850 kg/m 3 which is identified as lightweight concrete criterion. In addition, a model to estimate fibrous concrete elastic modulus of sisal fiber was proposed. This model was valid for 0.5% up to 1.5% fiber contents. It is also not recommended to apply sisal fiber content below 1% as gave strength lower than concrete without fiber.