Publication

Abstract : Concrete is widely used in construction because of its exceptional moldability, low cost, and compressive strength. Fibers are added to concrete to improve its tensile strength and structural performance. The current study focuses on improving the ductility and strength of concrete by using a hybrid blend of synthetic and natural fibers, namely polypropylene (PP) and coir. A fixed 0.2% of the volume is made up of coir and PP fibers in the proportions, 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0, respectively, to evaluate the developed fiber-reinforced concrete’s ductility, strength, and durability. The 75/25 ratio resulted in increased water absorption, whereas the 0/100 ratio displayed improved acid resistance, which is attributed to the biodegradable nature of coir. The specimens with a composition of 0.2–0/100 and 0.2–100/0 demonstrated minimal strength degradation when subjected to temperatures of 70°C and 110°C for a duration of 2 h. This was corroborated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, which confirmed the successful bonding of these fibers even under elevated temperature. The Hermite interpolation approach, in conjunction with functional analysis of variance (ANOVA), is employed to model and analyze the test results. Overall, an enhancement of the strength and durability properties of concrete has been observed due to hybridization. The test findings indicate that the combination of 0.2–50/50 is the most optimal in terms of strength, durability, and ductility.