Strengthening of beams with natural fibers composite materials

Abstract

One of the primary components of the building business nowadays is the retrofitting of existing structures. Natural fiber has the advantages of being a long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and low-cost material. Previously, most studies on natural fiber composites such as bamboo, kenaf, jute, and sisal where they concentrated on their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, as well as the effects of fiber extraction methods, fiber treatment types and structural strengthening. In this thesis study, the shear and flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by natural fibers such as bamboo and raffia under four-bending test is studied experimentally. A total of nine reinforced beams made of conventional concrete were casted: seven beams were shear deficient and were strengthened using bamboo and raffia with different configuration. Two beams were strengthened in flexure. Results showed that using natural fibers such as bamboo and raffia is effective for beam’s strengthening for both shear and flexural behavior.