EFFECT OF FIBER LENGTH VARIATIONS ON PROPERTIES OF COIR FIBER REINFORCED CEMENT-ALBUMEN COMPOSITE (CFRCC)

Abstract

This paper evaluated the effect of fiber length on the mechanical and physical performance of coir fiber reinforced cement-albumen composites (CFRCC). Albumen protein was added as a binder and the coir fibers with the lengths of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mm was used as partial replacement of the cement mixture. Flexural and compressive strength, bulk density, moisture content and water absorption were investigated. The experimental investigations reveal that increasing in length of fiber augment the flexural strength. Incorporation of long fiber into the cement paste however, decreased the workability and thus introduced voids which results in low density. In fact, the water absorption and moisture content were also increased.