The use of agricultural fibers for reinforcement of concrete has been under investigation for sometime. The problem of deterioration of the fibers has, however, not adequately been addressed. Can someone tell me how these fibers could be treated/preserved to avoid such problems as attack by fungi, insects and degradation in general?
I suggest to you the following article:
Romildo D Tolêdo Filhoa & al, "Development of vegetable fibre–mortar composites of improved durability" Cement and Concrete Composites, Volume 25, Issue 2, February 2003, Pages 185–196
Unfortunately, only steel fibers work since thier material properties such a expansion coefficent are same as concrete. You need to find organic fibers that have the adhession capability and expansion coeffiecient similar to concrete. Plus the material should not obeserve the water inside the concrete. water/cement ratio should not go below 40%.
read the following article:
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE USE OF NATURAL FIBERS IN SUSTAINABLE
CONCRETE
Elie Awwad, Mounir Mabsout, Bilal Hamad and Helmi Khatib
Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236,
Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon
Lebanese Science Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2011
Also fiber mineralization - soaking in a sodium silicate solution at 5%, followed by another soaking in aluminum sulphate at 20%
Dear Hossein Kabir and Antonio Beraldo
Thanks for your answers
Can you please explain to me what the chemicals that you soak the fibers into does and how do these increase the durability.
www.apuama.org..publicacoes..
Physical-mechanical evaluation of mineralized bamboo-Portland cement composite