Experimental investigation on behaviour of RC circular and square columns confined with natural fabrics

Abstract

Abstract In this paper natural fibers are confined with short circular and square columns for strengthening purpose with conventional wrapping technology. The substitution of natural fibres for synthetic fibres is a new approach to achieve sustainable construction. The most commonly used fibers are Glass, Carbon, Aramid, etc., but the fibers are costly and considered to be slightly uneconomical. Hence natural fibers namely Jute, Kenaf and Flax are utilized in this research. An experimental study reports the efficacy of the use of Jute, Kenaf, and Flax fabrics as external confinement for concrete columns furthermore, the outcomes propose that a huge improvement in the quality properties. Circular columns of 100mm diameter and 600mm height have been constructed and are tested under axial compression. The test outcomes show that the axial load carrying limit of FRP wrapped is increased than the control columns by a significant percentage. In these three natural fibers, Flax FRP wrapped columns offer more strength than Jute and Kenaf fiber wrapped columns. Natural fibers not only increase the strength it is cost-effective and environmental friendly as they are 100% bio-degradable.