Equipment for Testing the Tensile Strength of Natural Fibers: Design and Implementation

Abstract

The use of fibers, especially natural fibers, as construction materials has begun to develop. Natural fibers are also used for soil stabilization, where there are two mechanisms for increasing soil strength: tensile strength and fiber-soil friction. The purpose of this research is to design and build simple, inexpensive tools that can be used to test the tensile strength of a natural fiber. The tool consists of three main parts, namely the pull tool, loadcell, and display, and a supporting component, namely the computer. Prior to use, two calibrations were performed with respect to load cell accuracy and the vertical deformation of the tool. The equipment was used directly to measure the tensile strength of one of the natural fibers from oil palm empty fruit bunches. The relationship between stress and strain, fiber diameter, and fiber strength is discussed and compared with behaviors reported from the existing literature. The tensile strength of oil palm empty fruit bunches was found to be 107 MPa on average, with a strain at break of 6%. Fiber behavior, independent of diameter, was discovered to include elastic and plastic regions in the stress-strain relationship.

Chemically Stabilized Fiber of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch for Soil Stabilization

“…The testing procedures was performed using a specially designed tensile test equipment following the protocols outlined in previous research [3,6]. The treated fibers were placed in a tensile tester, as depicted in Fig.…”

“…Both ends of the fiber were securely clamped, and a force gauge was connected to a computer to record all force measurements and corresponding time data. Prior to testing, the changes in length were meticulously calibrated, accounting for any tool movement over time [6]. Fig.…”