EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND DURABILITY

PROPERTIES OF HYBRID FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE USING STEEL AND

BANANA FIBRES
P.Loganathan,* Dr.G.S.Thirugnanam**
*Research Scholar and AP/Civil AL-Ameen Engg College, Erode ** Prof & Head, IRTT, Erode.
Mail ID:iplogu@gmail.com
Abstract
Concrete is the most widely used construction material because of its speciality of being
cast into any desired shape. The recent developments in concrete technology has resulted in the
arrival of new products such as fibre reinforced concrete, high performance concrete, self
compacting concrete etc.,
The main requirements of disaster resistance structures are stiffness, ductility and energy
absorption capacity. The fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) possesses a high flexural strength,
improved ductility and high energy absorption capacity than that of conventional concrete
against dynamic loads. When the concrete is reinforced with randomly dispersed fibres it
prevents micro cracks form widening [1]. The combination of various types of fibres results in the
formation of hybrid fibre composites. One type of fibre improves the properties of fresh concrete
and prevents early shrinkage cracks while the other type of fibre contributes to the improvement
of strength and durability of hardened concrete.
The scope of the present study is to investigate the influence of different combination of
hybrid fibres (steel and banana fibres) on the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structural
elements with hybrid fibres. The laboratory experiments have been conducted with normal plain
concrete and fibrous concrete. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile
strength and modulus of elasticity and durability properties such as resistance to chemical attack
were investigated in the laboratory test. The RC beams have been designed with M30 grade
concrete and reinforced with Fe415 grade steel as main reinforcement and fibres (steel and
banana) as secondary reinforcement. Concrete mixes have been prepared with optimum fibre
contents and also without adding fibres (normal concrete).
The beams were subjected to cyclic loading in order to evaluate the behavior under
simulated earth quake loading conditions. The various parameters such as load carrying capacity,
stiffness degradation, ductility and energy absorption characteristics of FRC beam were
determined and compared with that of RC beams without fibres. Based on the results of the
experimental study significant conclusions were arrived at, to show the behavior of hybrid fibre
reinforced concrete (HFRC) beams is relatively better than that of conventional concrete beams
in all aspects. Instead of adding a single type of fibre, the combination of different types of fibres
(hybrid fibres) increases the ductility and energy absorption capacity substantially. Thus
phenomenon is particularly suitable for structures located in seismic areas.
Keywords: Hybridization, steel fibre, banana fibre, ductility, stiffness, flexure
performance.

I INTRODUCTION
1
 Concrete is weak in tension and
possesses brittle charecteristics. The concept
of using fibres to enhance the characteristics
of construction materials is very old [2]. Use
of continuous reinforcement (primary) and
fibre reinforcement (secondary) in concrete,
increases strength and durability properties
of concrete. When concrete cracks, the
randomly oriented fibres start functioning,
capture crack developments and
dissemination, and thus enhance strength
and durability. The occurrence of micro
cracks at the mortar - aggregate interface is
responsible for the inherent weakness of
plain concrete. FRC is a composite material
essentially consisting of normal plain
concrete reinforced with randomly dispersed
short discrete fibres of specific geometry [3].
Fibres in the cement based matrix
acts as cracks arrester, which restricts the
growth of flaws in the matrix, preventing
these from enlarging under load, into cracks
which eventually cause failure. Prevention
of propagation of cracks originating from
interior flaws, can results in improvements
in static and dynamic properties of the
concrete. Moreover the use of fibres alters
the performance of fibre-matrix composite
after concrete has cracked, thereby
improving its ductility.
In India a great amount of
Agricultural waste is produced every day.
Reuse of such waste material in concrete
construction is happening nowadays. In
southern parts of India, materials such as
rice husk, coconut coir, sugar cane stems
and banana stems are abundantly available
as waste materials. Such materials have to
be chosen and properly treated and
introduced in concrete as additives to
modify some of the properties of concrete.
2
Here an attempt has been made to
investigate the possibility of using these
waste materials (banana fibres) as fibrous
concrete composite material. Extensive
research work on FRC has established that
combination of two or more types of fibres
such as steel and vegetable fibres (banana
fibres) increase the overall performance of
concrete composites. It is obvious that the
performance of Hybrid Fibre Reinforced
Concrete (HFRC) depends on the aspect
ratio, shape and distribution of fibres in
concrete mixtures [4]. The beneficial effects
of banana fibres is to arrest the propagation
of micro cracks in the elastic stage of
concrete due to their lower modulus and
increased fibre availability at a given
volume fraction [5]. It is important to have a
combination of low modulus (banana fibres)
and high modulus fibres (steel fibres) to
arrest the micro and macro cracks
respectively.
1.1 BANANA FIBRE
Banana (musa sapientum) is a tropical
humid lowland crop, after harvest of fruit,
huge quantities of biomass (pseudo stem,
leaves, etc.) are generated and discarded as
waste due to non industrial utilisation. The
cellulose content serves as a deciding factor
for mechanical properties along with micro
fibrilangle. A high cellulose content and low
microfibril angle impart desirable
mechanical properties for banana fibers.
Lignins are associated with the
hemicelluloses and play an important role in
the natural decay resistance of the
lignocellulose material.The composition of
banana stem obtained by elemental analysis,
is given in Table 1.
Table 1. Composition of banana stem fibers
 S No Constituents Percentage on chemical composition, diameter, density,
1 Cellulose 56% moisture regain, strength, crystalline
2 Lignin 17% structure and colour [8]. Figure 1a and 1b
3 Extractives 7% shows the view of untreated and treated
4 Moisture 11% fibres.
5 Ashes 9%
1.2 ALKALI TREATMENT OF
BANANA FIBRES
Pseudo-stem fibre is a bast fibre and
it can be extracted after the fruit bunch was
harvested by using an extractor machine. To
enhance its surface morphology and fibre
Fig 1 (a) Fig 1
mechanical properties, alkali treatment is
(b)
applied. The extracted fibres were treated in
Fig 1 (a). Banana fibres untreated
5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for
Fig 1 (b). Banana fibres treated
four (4) hours, under total immersion
1.3 OBJECTIVE
condition to avoid oxidation of the fibre,
It is necessary to adopt locally
after which it was washed in potable water
available materials in construction with
until neutral pH is attained [6]. It is to be
down-to-earth technology. So far the work
noted here, that alkali treatment increases
on composites is confined to the application
surface roughness resulting in better
of aircraft & automobile industries with very
mechanical bonding and the amount of
little work being imparted in civil infra-
cellulose exposed on the fibre surface. This
structural activities. The application of
increases the number of possible reaction
composites in civil infrastructural activities
sites and allows better fibre wetting.
mostly concentrated on the mechanical
Possible reaction of the fiber and Sodium
strength on composites and not on its usage
Hydroxide (NaOH) is represented in
in structural system. Here an attempt is
Equation (1).
made to study the possibilities of using the
Fibre-OH+NaOH→Fibre-O-Na++H2O---(1).
Banana fibre as composite in concrete which
The treated fibres were dried in an
not only tries to solve the ductility problem
oven for 24 hours at 105˚ C to remove free
but also the problem of waste disposal at
water, and were subsequently cut into
least to a small extent. Hence the focus of
required length. Alkali treatment’s main
the study is to characterize the mechanical
purpose is to disrupt hydrogen bonding in
and structural properties of HFRC with steel
the network structure and remove some
and banana fibres in terms of strength,
hemicellulose, lignin, wax and oils, thereby
ductility and energy absorption to enhance
amplifying surface roughness and reducing
its overall performance. Therefore, the main
its hydrophilic nature. This treatment
objectives of present study is
manipulates fibre’s mechanical
i. To prepare HFRC with addition of steel
performance, especially regarding strength
and banana fibres for M30 grade concrete.
and stiffness [7]. The fibres treated under the
optimum conditions are characterized based
3
ii. To study the strength and durability
characteristics of concrete.
iii. To study the structural performance of
the RC & HFRC beams.
iv. To compare the load deflection
performance and mode of failure of RC and
HFRC beams.
v. To determine the ductility, stiffness and
energy absorption capacity of RC and HFRC
beams.
2 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
The benefit of addition of discrete
fibres on the flexural strength of reinforced
concrete beams under cyclic loading has
been investigated in this study. The HFRC
beams consist of steel fibre, banana fibre,
concrete mix and reinforcing steel. The
beams were subjected to middle third point
loads up to failure and the load – deflection
response has been studied. Seismic critical
parameters such as ductility energy
absorption capacity and stiffness
degradation were determined. The
comparisons were made on the parameters
like load carrying capacity, load deflection
performance, failure pattern, ductility and
energy absorption characteristics of RC and
HFRC beams. This section is giving
information about the materials used,
specimen details including reinforcement
detailing, loading sequence and
experimental set up.
2.1 MATERIALS
In this experimental study cement,
sand, coarse aggregate, water, super
plasticizer (conplast SP430), 8mm diameter
HYSD bars, steel and banana fibres were
used. Ordinary Portland cement of 53 grade
conforming to IS 12269-1987 with specific
gravity 3.12 was used for the preparation of
concrete. Crushed stones aggregate,
4
obtained from the local quarry, of size 20
mm and 10 mm combined in the ratio of
60:40 respectively, conforming to IS: 383-
1970, was used as coarse aggregate. The
specific gravity of 10 mm and 20 mm coarse
aggregate were 2.72 and 2.74 respectively
with water absorption of 0.31%and fineness
modulus of 7.5. Locally available river sand
of zone II, conforming to IS 383-1970, with
specific gravity of 2.69, water absorption of
1.04% and fineness modulus of 2.86 was
used as fine aggregate. Fresh, clean and
potable water was used for mixing and
curing the concrete as per IS: 456-2000 in
the entire experimental programme.
A commercially available super
plasticizer CONPLAST- SP430 conforming
to IS 9103 - 1999 was used in all mixes. The
super plasticizer was added at a rate of 0.5
% by weight of cement to all mixes. The
specific gravity of super plasticizer was
determined as1.2. Round Crimped steel
fibres (SHAKTIMAN® MSC 7550),
conforming to ASTM A820, with an aspect
ratio of 67 were used as fibres. The physical
properties of round crimped steel fibre
(figure 2) are given in Table 2 as below.
Table 2. Properties of Steel Fibre
S No Description Result
1 Length 50 mm
2 Diameter 0.75 mm
3 Aspect Ratio 67
4 Tensile strength 1100 MPa
5 Young’s modulus 210 GPa
6 Elongation 15%
7 Density 7.85 g/cm3
8 Specific gravity 7.9
 Coarse aggregate 20mm(kg) 720
Coarse aggregate 10mm(kg) 480
Water (kg) 154
Super plasticizer(kg) 1.7
Figure 2: Steel fibres Steel fibre (kg) 80
Banana fibre(kg) 1.7
In this study alkali treated banana fibres
with an aspect ratio of 100 were used for 2.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
casting the fibrous concrete specimens. The
physical properties of banana fibres were
given in Table 3
Table 3. Properties of Banana Fibres
S No Description Result
1 Length 25 mm
2 Diameter 0.25 mm
3 Aspect Ratio 100
4 Tensile strength 145 MPa
5 Young’s modulus 43.5 GPa
6 Elongation 1.7 %
7 Density 1.35 g/cm3
2.2 MIX PROPORTIONING
M30 grade concrete mix was
designed as per IS 10262-2009. Proportion
of concrete should be selected to make the
most economical use of available materials
to produce concrete of required quality. The
mix ratio of 1:2.35:3.5 with w/c ratio of 0.45
was used for casting of specimens. In
addition 1% of steel fibre (by volume) and
0.12% of banana fibre (by volume) were
added to the concrete mix. The quantities of
different ingredients per cubic meter of
concrete mix were given in Table 4.

Table 4. Quantities of ingredients of

Concrete Mix (kg per m3)
Cement (kg) 340
Fine aggregate (kg) 800

5
 The cube moulds of size 150mm x
150mm x 150mm, cylindrical moulds of size
150mm diameter and 300mm height and
beam moulds of size 100mm x 100 mm in
cross section and 500mm length were
selected for casting the companion
specimens for compression test, split tension
test and flexural strength test of plain
concrete and fibrous concrete specimens.
Four beams namely PC, BFRC, SFRC and
HFRC beams were cast and tested for the
structural performance of fibrous beams
under cyclic loading. All the beams were
cast with the following reinforcement
details. Three numbers of 8mm diameter
rods at bottom and two numbers of 8mm
diameter bars at top were provided as main
reinforcement, 8mm diameter stirrups
spaced at 100 mm centre were used as shear
reinforcement. The reinforcement detail of
the beam is shown in figure 3. The beams
were kept in the mould for one day. After
the period of 24 hours, the beams were
removed from the moulds and stored in the
water for 28 days for curing. The slump of
the concrete was measured as 80mm while
concreting. Two days before testing, the
beams were taken from water to prepare
them for testing and allowed to dry for about
4 hours. The beams were white washed and
horizontal and vertical lines were drawn for
easy crack marking.
Fig 3. Detailing of Reinforcement
2.4 TESTING OF BEAMS
6
The beam specimen was placed on
the loading frame as shown in figure 4. All
the beams were tested under two-point
loading condition. Forward cyclic load was
applied by using screw jack. The applied
load is measured using 100kN proving ring.
The beam was gradually loaded by
amplifying the load level in each cycle .The
observed deflection at mid span was
measured by using dial gauge during loading
and unloading. The beam was loaded up to
failure and the values of load at first crack
and ultimate failure stage were noted. The
cracks were marked clearly to show the
failure pattern of the beam. The
experimental test set up is shown in figure 4.
Fig 4. Test setup for beam
3 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
3.1 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The compressive strength of concrete
mix increases by 6.56% for BFRC, 16.34%
for SFRC and 30.45% for HFRC
respectively as compared with plain
concrete. The result shows that percentage
increase in the compressive strength is
higher with the addition of fibres. However,
the hybridization enhances the compressive
strength substantially when compared with
that of fibrous concrete with mono fibres.
The variation of compressive strength at 28
days curing for different concrete
composition is given in Figure 5.

Fig 5.Average Compressive Strength at 28
days
3.2 SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH
The split tensile strength of concrete
mix increases by 15.53% for BFRC, 22.07%
for SFRC and 44.95% for HFRC
respectively as compared to that of plain
concrete. There is substantial increase in the
split tensile strength with the addition of
fibres to the concrete mix. Hybrid fibres
enhance the split tensile strength noticeably
as compared with mono fibres. The variation
of split tensile strength at 28 days curing for
different concrete composition is given in
Figure 6.
Fig 6.Average Split tensile Strength
at 28 days
3.3 FLEXURAL STRENGTH
The flexural strength of concrete mix
increases by 12.5% for BFRC, 47.92% for
SFRC and 62.5% for HFRC respectively as
when compared to that of plain concrete.
Hybridization keeps improving the flexural
strength as compared with mono fibres. The
variation of flexural strength at 28 days
curing for different concrete composition is
given in Figure 7.
7
Fig 7.Average Flexure Strength at 28 days
3.4 MODULUS OF ELASTICITY
The modulus of elasticity of concrete
mix increases by 25% for BFRC, 35% for
SFRC and 46.6% for HFRC respectively
than that of conventional concrete.
Hybridization keeps improving the modulus
of elasticity as compared with mono fibres.
The variation of modulus of elasticity at 28
days curing for different concrete
composition is given in Figure 8.
Fig 8.Average Modulus of Elasticity
3.5 STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
To evaluate the structural performance of
concrete and fibrous concrete beams
reinforced with different fibre materials, a
detailed experimental investigation was
carried out and the results are discussed in
this section.
3.6 LOAD-DEFLECTION
PERFORMANCE
The load deflection behavior of the normal
plain and HFRC beams are shown in figure
9a & 9b.
Fig 9 b. Load Deflection Behavior of HFRC higher than that of the normal RC beam. The
Beam comparison of cumulative energy absorption
capacity of beams under cyclic loading is
shown in Figure 11 a & 11b.

It is observed that the ultimate load

carrying capacity of HFRC beam is 13%
higher than that of the normal RC beam. The Fig 11 (a)
comparison of load carrying capacity of
beams under cyclic loading is shown in
Figure 10.
Fig

10.Comparison of Load Carrying Capacity

3.8 ENERGY ABSORPTION
CAPACITY CHARACTERISTICS
When the structure is subjected to
Fig 11 (b)
loading, some energy is absorbed in each
Fig 11 (a) & (b).Comparison of
load cycle and is equal to the work done in
Cumulative Energy Absorption Capacity
deforming the structure to the limit of
3.9 DUCTILITY FACTOR
deflection. The area under the load
CHARACTERISTICS
deflection diagram represents the energy
Ductility is defined as the ability of a
absorption capacity of the specimen. Since
member to undergo inelastic deformations
the load deflection was traced up to ultimate
beyond the yield deformation without
load, the cumulative energy absorption
significant loss in the load carrying capacity.
capacities of the beams were calculated as
The deflection at first yield was obtained
the sum of the areas under the load
from the assumed bi- linear load deflection
deflection diagrams up to ultimate load. It is
response. The ratio of maximum deflection
observed that the cumulative energy
at any load level to the deflection at first
absorption capacity of HFRC beam is 60%

8
yield is known as ductility factor. The
cumulative ductility factor is defined as the
sum of ductility factors attained in each load
cycle. It is observed that the cumulative
ductility factor of HFRC beam is 55%
higher than that of the normal RC beam. The
comparison of cumulative Ductility Factor
of beams under cyclic loading is shown in
Figure 12a & b.
Fig 13.Comparison of Stiffness
degradation
3.11 MODE OF FAILURE
The beam was loaded up to 7th cycle
to expose the performance of the beam. As
the load increases, the crack width also
increased and extended towards the top of
the beam. The concrete was crushed and
spalling down. By the inclusion of fibres,
number of hairline cracks have been
observed throughout the length of beam. In
the case of RC beams without fibres the
number of cracks are minimum and is
widened during ultimate loading. The
maximum crack width for RC beam is
observed as 5mm at ultimate failure. The
failure pattern of both RC and HFRC beam
are shown in figure 14.

Fig 12 (a)

Fig 12(b)
Fig 12(a) & (b). Comparison of
Cumulative Ductility Factor
3.10 STIFFNESS DEGRADATION
CHARACTERISTICS Fig 14(a) Failure Pattern of RC beam
Stiffness is the rigidity of an object,
the extent to which it resists deformation in
response to an applied force. It is observed
that the stiffness of HFRC beam is slightly
more than that of the normal RC beam. The
comparison of Stiffness degradation of
beams under cyclic loading is shown in
Figure 13.

Fig 14 (b) Failure Pattern of HFRC beam

9
The structural behavior of the beam element determined and tested for its compressive
is given in Table 5 strength. It is observed that the average loss
Table 5 Test Results of Beam of strength due to acid (H2SO4) attack is low
S No Parameter RC HFRC in fibre reinforced concrete specimens as
1 Cracking 15 21 compared with plain concrete at the age of
Load (kN) 60 days. In that HFRC specimens shows
2 Ultimate 45 51 very low % loss in strength due to acid
Load(kN)
3 Cumulative 8.36 13.05 attack compared with other mixes [9]. The
Ductility figure15 shows the results of the effect of
Factor acid attack.
4 Energy 238 382
Absorption
capacity(kN-
mm)
5 Number of 12 16
cracks

4 DURABILITY PROPERTIES Fig 15a.Average Percentage Loss of

The durability of concrete is defined
as its ability to resist weathering action,
chemical attack, abrasion or any other
process of deterioration. Durable concrete
will retain its original appearance, quality,
and serviceability when exposed to its
environment. Experiments were conducted
to study the consequence of hybrid fibres on
the durability properties such as loss in
compressive strength and weights when
exposed to acid environment.
4.1 AVERAGE PERCENTAGE LOSS
OF STRENGTH AND WEIGHT IN
ACID ENVIRONMENT
The cubes were taken from the
curing tank after 28 days. Their initial
strength and initial weight has been
determined before the chemical attack. The
specimens are immersed in 3.5% diluted
H2SO4 solution for 28 days of acid attack.
After that the eroded specimens were taken
outside from the acid chamber and wiped
out. The weight of specimen has been
Strength
Fig 15b.Average Percentage Change in
Weight
5 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of the experimental
investigation carried out, the following
conclusions were arrived:
 It is evident from the present
investigation that the hybridization
of fibres proves to be better as
compared with mono fibres.
 There was 30% increase in the
compressive strength as a result of
hybridization because the high
elastic modulus of steel fibre and the

10
 low elastic modulus of Banana fibre
work in perfect combination.
 Hybridization boosted the split
tensile strength and flexural strength
by 45% and 62% respectively.
 The increased fibre availability of
Banana fibres, combined with the
high modulus Steel fibres, resulted in
a significant enhancement in tensile
strength.
 The ultimate load carrying capacity
of HFRC beam is 1.13 times more
than that of the normal RC beam.
 It is observed from the present
investigation that the cumulative
energy absorption capacity of HFRC
beam is 60% higher than that of the
normal RC beam.
 The cumulative Ductility Factor of
HFRC beam is 55% higher than that
of the normal RC beam.
In general, it is concluded that the
presence of hybrid fires in the concrete
mix enhances the ductility and energy
absorption characteristics substantially
which are needed in seismic prone areas.
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