Mechanical Performance of Cement Composites Reinforced with Raffia Palm Fabric

Abstract

The utilization of plant based (natural) fabrics as reinforcement in composite materials is fast growing in the engineering field, due to their environmental friendliness and appreciable mechanical properties. This study was carried out to evaluate some flexural properties (flexural strength and flexural deflection) and water absorption rate of raffia palm fabric reinforced cement composite samples. Ordinary Portland cement (grade 42.5N) was used as the binding material. Cement to fine aggregate (450 µm) mix ratio of 1:3 (by weight) was employed for the composite production, while a water to cement ratio (w/c) of 0.4 was adopted. For the purpose of this study, cement composite beams were reinforced with raffia palm fabrics in 1-fabric, 2-fabrics and 2-layer configuration. All the cement composite samples were prepared and tested in accordance to ASTM standard procedures. Results from the flexural tests showed that the flexural properties of the composite samples were highly influenced by the raffia palm fabric reinforcement. The composite samples reinforced with 2-layers generally had higher flexural properties, when compared to the results obtained from the composite reinforced with 2-fabrics and 1-fabrics reinforcement. The ultimate flexural deflection attained in the 2-fabrics and 2-layers configurations were comparable, but slightly highly in the 2-layers. A mean deflection of 6.12 mm was recorded in the composite reinforced with 2-layers, which was higher than the mean deflection of 5.56 mm recorded for the composite reinforced with 2-fabrics. For all cases, the unreinforced cement composite (control Samples) had the poorest flexural properties. In terms of the water absorption rate, the 2-layers fabrics composite samples had the highest water absorption rate when compared to the 1-layer fabric reinforced composite samples and the control samples. These results will be useful in the building industry and in the design and development of natural fabric reinforced concrete structures.