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Review
. 2022 May 18;15(10):3601.
doi: 10.3390/ma15103601.

Mechanical and Durability Performance of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Review

Jawad Ahmad  1 , Ali Majdi  2 , Amin Al-Fakih  3 , Ahmed Farouk Deifalla  4 , Fadi Althoey  5 , Mohamed Hechmi El Ouni  6   7 , Mohammed A El-Shorbagy  8
Affiliations
Review

Mechanical and Durability Performance of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Review

Jawad Ahmad et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The push for sustainability in the construction sector has demanded the use of increasingly renewable resources. These natural fibers are biodegradable and non-toxic, and their mechanical capabilities are superior to those of synthetic fibers in terms of strength and durability. A lot of research recommends coconut fibers as an alternative to synthetic fibers. However, the knowledge is scattered, and no one can easily judge the suitability of coconut fibers in concrete. This paper presents a summary of research progress on coconut fiber (natural fibers) reinforced concrete. The effects of coconut fibers on the properties of concrete are reviewed. Factors affecting the fresh, hardened, and durability properties of concrete reinforced with coconut fiber are discussed. Results indicate that coconut fiber improved the mechanical performance of concrete due to crack prevention, similar to the synthetic fibers but decreased the flowability of concrete. However, coconut fibers improved flexure strength more effectively than compressive strength. Furthermore, improvement in some durability performance was also observed, but less information is available in this regard. Moreover, the optimum dose is an important parameter for high-strength concrete. The majority of researchers indicate that 3.0% coconut fiber is the optimum dose. The overall study demonstrates that coconut fibers have the creditability to be used in concrete instead of synthetic fibers.

Keywords: durability aspects; mechanical properties; natural fibers; physical properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Longitudinal section of coconut and plan view of stone.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Slump and fresh density of concrete with coconut fibers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation between slump and fresh density with coconut fibers.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Compressive strength [48].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Relative analysis of compressive strength [24].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Tensile strength [24].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Relative analysis of tensile strength [24].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Correlation between compressive strength and split tensile strength.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Experimental and predicted tensile strength.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Flexure strength [24].
Figure 11
Figure 11
Relative analysis of flexure strength [24].
Figure 12
Figure 12
Correlation between compressive strength and flexure strength.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Water absorption [73].
Figure 14
Figure 14
Carbonation depth [37].
Figure 15
Figure 15
Permeability [37].
Figure 16
Figure 16
SEM of (a) free space between cement paste ITZ and micro cracks, (b) micro cracks, and CF paste [50].
Figure 17
Figure 17
(a) Pore in ITZ, (b) CF paste ITZ [50].
Figure 18
Figure 18
(a) Cracks in paste and aggregates, (b) aggregates paste ITZ [50].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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