Coir Fiber Used in Reinforced Concrete

Due to the quantity and availability of coir (or coconut fiber), it has become increasingly common to use this material to reinforce concrete. Coconut husks are a byproduct of coconut processing, and coir fiber can be produced cheaply and efficiently anywhere in the world. Since concrete is the most commonly used construction material in the world, it would certainly be beneficial to find ways to increase its stability and strength. Coir fiber has been shown to be an effective material for reinforcing concrete, a valuable use for a byproduct of coconut processing.

Overview

Coir fiber has long been used in buildings and construction in Asia, Africa, and South America. Using coir fiber reduces the rate of the depletion of other natural resources and provides positive economic returns for coconut cultivators. Coir fiber is the toughest of all of the natural fibers. Rigorous testing has shown that coir fiber-reinforced concrete is stronger than concrete without coir fiber and has improved mechanical and dynamic properties. 

Coir in Concrete

Research into the use of coir in concrete is an ongoing project. Coconut fibers have been shown to mitigate crack development in concrete structures that are near water or in places where structures are prone to other environmental stresses, such as earthquakes. Concrete on its own is a relatively brittle building material; its tensile strength is only a tenth of its compressive strength. Historically, reinforcing bars were used to compensate for concrete’s rigidity and structural weakness. 

Nonetheless, steel beams could not prevent micro-cracks from forming in concrete under certain circumstances, and it was thought that coir fibers could be a solution. To understand how coconut fibers would affect the performance of concrete, tests were performed in laboratories around the world. During these tests, coconut fibers were added to concrete at varying levels, and the resulting products were tested for workability, flexibility, compression, and strength. These experiments involved contortion, compression, and tensile strength tests.

Observations

Since coconut fiber is not as dense as concrete, it reduces the overall weight of a structure, making it ideal for producing a lightweight form of concrete. Coir also has low thermal conductivity, which allows for natural cooling. Tests have shown that coconut fiber has great potential as a replacement for steel as a material for reinforcing concrete. It is also beneficial because it is strong, cheap to make, and naturally cooling. 

Coir fiber-reinforced concrete has many advantages. Since coir fiber is a byproduct of coconut processing, it is a readily available substance, and utilizing coir in buildings has positive cost-benefit implications. For example, it can be used to provide poorer communities with affordable building options. 

Coir, as a natural reinforcement material, can be collected cheaply and efficiently using local labor and technology. With the quest to find affordable housing options for rural and urban populations around the world still unfinished, developers must start looking at new building methods and incorporating alternative, innovative measures. Research into coconut fiber suggests that it has significant potential as a durable, low-cost building material.