Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete
Due to the requirement for developing more sustainable constructions, natural fibers from agricultural wastes, such as coir fibers, have been increasingly used as an alternative in concrete composites. However, the influence of coir fibers on the hydration and shrinkage of cement-based materials is...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-02-01
|
Series: | Materials |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/3/699 |
id |
doaj-8bc908e221154370916dd6b9c2eda19f |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-8bc908e221154370916dd6b9c2eda19f2021-02-03T00:05:12ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-02-011469969910.3390/ma14030699Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate ConcreteXiaoxiao Zhang0Leo Pel1Florent Gauvin2David Smeulders3Department of Applied Physics, Transport in Permeable Media, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDepartment of Applied Physics, Transport in Permeable Media, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDepartment of Built Environment, Building Materials, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Energy Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsDue to the requirement for developing more sustainable constructions, natural fibers from agricultural wastes, such as coir fibers, have been increasingly used as an alternative in concrete composites. However, the influence of coir fibers on the hydration and shrinkage of cement-based materials is not clear. In addition, limited information about the reinforcing mechanisms of coir fibers in concrete can be found. The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of coir fibers on the hydration reaction, microstructure, shrinkages, and mechanical properties of cement-based light-weight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Treatments on coir fibers, namely Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub> and nano-silica impregnation, are applied to further improve LWAC. Results show that leachates from fibers acting as a delayed accelerator promote cement hydration, and entrained water by fibers facilitates cement hydration during the whole process. The drying shrinkage of LWAC is increased by adding fibers, while the autogenous shrinkage decreases. The strength and toughness of LWAC are enhanced with fibers. Finally, three reinforcement mechanisms of coir fibers in cement composites are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/3/699natural fibercoir fibershydrationshrinkageinternal curingreinforcement |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Xiaoxiao Zhang Leo Pel Florent Gauvin David Smeulders |
spellingShingle |
Xiaoxiao Zhang Leo Pel Florent Gauvin David Smeulders Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete Materials natural fiber coir fibers hydration shrinkage internal curing reinforcement |
author_facet |
Xiaoxiao Zhang Leo Pel Florent Gauvin David Smeulders |
author_sort |
Xiaoxiao Zhang |
title |
Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete |
title_short |
Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete |
title_full |
Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete |
title_fullStr |
Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete |
title_full_unstemmed |
Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete |
title_sort |
reinforcing mechanisms of coir fibers in light-weight aggregate concrete |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Materials |
issn |
1996-1944 |
publishDate |
2021-02-01 |
description |
Due to the requirement for developing more sustainable constructions, natural fibers from agricultural wastes, such as coir fibers, have been increasingly used as an alternative in concrete composites. However, the influence of coir fibers on the hydration and shrinkage of cement-based materials is not clear. In addition, limited information about the reinforcing mechanisms of coir fibers in concrete can be found. The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of coir fibers on the hydration reaction, microstructure, shrinkages, and mechanical properties of cement-based light-weight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Treatments on coir fibers, namely Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub> and nano-silica impregnation, are applied to further improve LWAC. Results show that leachates from fibers acting as a delayed accelerator promote cement hydration, and entrained water by fibers facilitates cement hydration during the whole process. The drying shrinkage of LWAC is increased by adding fibers, while the autogenous shrinkage decreases. The strength and toughness of LWAC are enhanced with fibers. Finally, three reinforcement mechanisms of coir fibers in cement composites are discussed. |
topic |
natural fiber coir fibers hydration shrinkage internal curing reinforcement |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/3/699 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT xiaoxiaozhang reinforcingmechanismsofcoirfibersinlightweightaggregateconcrete AT leopel reinforcingmechanismsofcoirfibersinlightweightaggregateconcrete AT florentgauvin reinforcingmechanismsofcoirfibersinlightweightaggregateconcrete AT davidsmeulders reinforcingmechanismsofcoirfibersinlightweightaggregateconcrete |
_version_ |
1724290301816733696 |