Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Concrete Reinforced with Eucalyptus globulus Bark Fibres

Claudia Mansilla, Mauricio Pradena, Cecilia Fuentealba and Andrés César
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Claudia Mansilla: Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Casilla 160-C Correo3, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Mauricio Pradena: Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Casilla 160-C Correo3, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Cecilia Fuentealba: Unidad de Desarrollo Tecnológico, UDT, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 4051, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Andrés César: Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 219, Casilla 160-C Correo3, Concepción 4030000, Chile

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 23, 1-19

Abstract: Concrete is a material with high compressive strength, but predisposed to shrinkage cracking, rapid cracks propagation, and brittle failures. The incorporation of fibre is an acceptable solution to reduce these limitations. However, high cost and energy consumption related to man-made fibres have placed natural fibres as an attractive sustainable alternative, especially considering that different natural fibres are industrial waste (as the Eucalyptus globulus bark fibre). Still, natural fibres can produce an important reduction of concrete strength. Hence, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Eucalyptus globulus bark fibre in traditional concrete mechanical properties as compressive and flexural strength. For this, an experimental program was developed in such a way that reduces the results uncertainties and increases the power of decision regarding the percentage and fibre conditions of the samples. The results indicate that, unlike other natural fibres, the traditional mechanical properties have a slight reduction and acceptable workability. This fact is more evident in the samples with 0.50% fibre with respect to the weight of cement. Therefore, reinforcing mortars and concrete with Eucalyptus globulus bark fibres emerges as an eco-friendly building alternative to reuse this industrial waste.

Keywords: compressive strength; Eucalyptus globulus; flexural strength; mechanical properties; natural fibre; reinforced concrete; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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