A Study on Mechanical Properties of Agave Fiber on M20 Grade Concrete: Effect of Agave Fiber Content on Mechanical Properties of M20 Grade Concrete

Abstract

The concrete is widely used construction material in the world. In conventional concrete, micro-cracks develop before structure is loaded because of drying shrinkage and other causes of volume change. When the structure is loaded, the micro cracks open up and propagate because of development of such micro-cracks, results in inelastic deformation in concrete. It has been recognized that the addition of small, closely spaced and uniformly dispersed fibers to the concrete would act as crack arrester and would substantially improve its compressive and split tensile strength properties.In this research, Natural available Agave fiber is being used in concrete. Thereby, the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split-tensile strength were determined for M20 grade concrete and by varying percentage of fiber content from 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%and 5% by volume of cement with optimum length of 40mm.. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and split tensile strength with % agave fiber were compared with conventional concrete properties of M20 grade. From the results it is observed that increasing % of fiber in concrete increases the compressive and split tensile strength of concrete.