Improving Structural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Phragmites Australis Fiber and Waste Glass Additives

Abstract

The construction industry has seen a growing emphasis on the use of sustainable materials in recent years. This is driven by various factors, including a desire to reduce environmental impact, improve indoor air quality, and promote the health and well-being of building occupants. One sustainable material that is being increasingly utilized in construction is natural fibers. Phragmites australis fibers, in particular, are renewable, biodegradable, and have a low carbon footprint. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of Phragmites australis fibers on the behavior of reinforced concrete beams. Five concrete mixes were utilized in the experiment, with the control mix having a 1:1.5:3 ratio of cement to sand to coarse aggregate by weight. The other four mixes incorporated Phragmites australis fibers at 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% of the volume of the mix, with cement replaced by 10% glass by weight. The water-to-cement ratio was set at 0.4 for all mixes. Concrete cubes, cylinders, and prisms were prepared to determine mechanical and physical properties, while reinforced concrete beams were used to assess structural performance. The results of the experiment showed that the addition of Phragmites australis fibers slightly decreased the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete compared to the control mix. However, the inclusion of 0.5% Phragmites australis fibers enhanced the split tensile and flexural strength of the concrete. In terms of reinforced concrete beams, the maximum load-bearing capacity was realized for the mix with 10% glass and 0% Phragmites australis fibers. However, the highest ductility index and deflection were achieved for the mix with 10% glass and 0.5% Phragmites australis fibers. Therefore, the use of Phragmites australis fibers can improve the structural performance of concrete.

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties and Water Permeability of Pervious Planting Concrete: A Study on Additives and Plant Growth

“…Sustainable building materials, such as pervious planting concrete, which supports water permeability and urban vegetation, can help alleviate these issues. Moreover, sustainable building materials can be used in different types of concrete to reduce environmental impact, improve the relationship between humans and ecology, and promote the health and well-being of building occupants [1,2].…”

Volume Stability and Mechanical Properties of Cement Paste Containing Natural Fibers from Phragmites-Australis Plant at Elevated Temperature

“…This slight drop in the UPV can be attributed to several factors. First of all, the presence of PhA fibers within the paste can lead to an increase in the number of voids, consequently leading to a UPV decrease [24,25]. In addition, it can be stated that various factors, such as the type and dimensions of the fibers, the orientation and dispersion of the fibers within the material, and the specific curing conditions, can all contribute to variations in the pulse velocity [38].…”

“…Consequently, recent studies have been directed towards investigating sustainable solutions, exploring the incorporation of such plant into construction materials, and assessing its potential effects in a more ecologically friendly manner. For example, a study demonstrated that incorporating 0.5% PhA fibers enhanced the load deflection of RC beams [24]. Furthermore, the results of another study revealed that the addition of PhA fibers of up to 2% resulted in a reduction in the shrinkage parameters [25].…”

Effect of Adding Phragmites-Australis Fiber on the Mechanical Properties and Volume Stability of Mortar

“…It was demonstrated that the incorporation of 1.5% PA fibers in concrete significantly improved its capillary and water absorption properties [32]. In another study, it was demonstrated that the inclusion of Phragmites Australis plants in reinforced concrete beams resulted in improved performance, including increased load-carrying capacity and ductility compared to plain concrete beams [33]. These findings highlight the potential of using this plant as a beneficial reinforcement material for structural applications [34,35] To the best of the author's knowledge, there is hardly any research on volume stability and mechanical properties of mortar containing PA fibers, thus this paper aims to address these properties.…”