EFFECT OF KENAF FIBER IN CONCRETE

ABSTRACT This project investigates the effect of kenaf fiber in concrete. The aims of this study is to determine the mechanical properties of concrete using kenaf fiber. This work evaluates the effect of kenaf fiber on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. 1%, 2% and 3% in volume of fiber were added to the concrete. The concrete fresh properties consisting of slump and density are determined in the laboratory. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength test, and flexural strength, of KFRC specimens are investigated and compared to the properties of conventional concrete specimens. A total number of 36 concrete cubes with the size of 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm were tested for compressive strength, 36 Concrete beams with the size of 100 mm x 100 mm x 200 mm were tested for flexural strength, and also 36 concrete small beams with the size of 100 mm x 100 mm x 500 mm were tested for direct shear test. All of the specimens were cured for 7, and 28 days before testing. The experimental results indicate that the mechanical properties of KFRC are improved with the increased of kenaf fiber content. The inclusion of kenaf fibre in concrete increases the splitting tensile strength of the concrete. The 7-day and 28 -day flexural strength of the KFRC is accompanied with 12% and 19.32% increase in strength compared to the reference concrete at 2% kenaf Fiber, this demonstrates that the addition of kenaf fiber improves the flexural strength of concrete.