High Strength Concrete Using Jute Fibre as Reinforcement

Abstract

The incorporation of natural fibres in concrete is emerging as a sustainable approach to enhance mechanical properties and durability, while reducing environmental impact. This study focuses on the use of jute fibre as a natural reinforcement in high-strength concrete (HSC). Various proportions of jute fibres (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by volume) were added to a M60 grade concrete mix, and their effects on mechanical performance were evaluated. Tests included compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, workability, and durability. Results demonstrated that jute fibres improve crack resistance and post-cracking ductility, with the optimum fibre content found at 1.0%. The findings suggest that jute fibre is a viable, eco-friendly reinforcement alternative that can contribute to cost-effective and sustainable construction practices.

Introduction

Concrete is a widely used construction material, but its low tensile strength and brittleness limit its performance under tension and flexure. This study investigates the use of jute fibre—a natural, biodegradable, and cost-effective material—as reinforcement in M60 high-strength concrete to enhance its mechanical properties, crack resistance, and durability.

Key Objectives:

• Improve compressive, tensile, and flexural strength

• Enhance crack resistance and toughness

• Maintain workability and durability

• Evaluate the sustainability benefits of natural fibres

Materials & Methods:

• Cement: OPC 53 grade

• Aggregates: River sand and 20 mm granite

• Water & Superplasticizer: Used to ensure workability

• Jute Fibre: Chemically treated and cut to 30 mm length

• Fibre content tested at 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by volume

Tests Conducted:

• Compressive strength (cubes)

• Split tensile strength (cylinders)

• Flexural strength (beams)

• Slump test (workability)

• Water absorption and acid resistance (durability)

Key Findings:

• M2 (1.0% jute fibre) gave the best balance of strength and workability.

• Higher fibre content (1.5%) caused fibre clumping, reducing strength and workability.

• Durability remained satisfactory despite a slight increase in water absorption.

• Acid resistance confirmed concrete integrity in harsh conditions.

Conclusion

The experimental investigation clearly demonstrates that jute fibre reinforcement enhances the mechanical performance of high strength concrete, especially in tensile and flexural behavior. Key conclusions are: 1) The optimum jute fibre content for M60 concrete is 1.0% by volume, balancing strength gain and workability. 2) Jute fibres improve post-cracking ductility and toughness by controlling crack initiation and propagation. 3) Workability decreases with higher fibre content but remains manageable with admixture use. 4) The natural and biodegradable nature of jute fibres offers a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to synthetic fibres. 5) Jute fibre reinforced concrete is a promising solution for green construction and low-cost infrastructure in tropical regions like India. Future research directions include exploring chemical surface treatments of jute fibres for enhanced bonding, hybrid fibre combinations, long-term durability assessments under various environmental exposures, and large-scale structural performance.

References

[1] IS 10262:2019 – Concrete Mix Proportioning – Guidelines. [2] IS 516:1959 – Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete. [3] ACI Committee 544, \"State-of-the-Art Report on Fiber Reinforced Concrete,\" ACI 544.1R. [4] Singh, B., et al. (2022). “Performance of Natural Fiber Reinforced Concrete.” Construction and Building Materials, 345, 127888. [5] Rana, A., et al. (2020). “Effect of Jute Fibers on the Strength of Concrete.” Materials Today Proceedings, 27, 3214-3219. [6] Zia, A., et al. (2019). “Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete with Natural Fibers.” Journal of Sustainable Materials, 5(2), 134-145.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 C. Hariharan, Dr. P. Kalaiselvi, Dr. S. Krishnapriya. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.