Structural Behaviour of Kenaf Fibre Lightweight Concrete Beams Modelling Via FEM-Abaqus

Abstract

This study presents the structural properties of oil palm shell kenaf fibre Lightweight concrete (OPS-KFLC) beams. The main objective of this research was to investigate the potential advantage of kenaf fiber for improving the structure properties of OPS-RC beams. This investigation carried out by two methods experimental and consequently numerical modelling. The experimental work focused on two beams. First beam constructed with full shear reinforcement and without fibre (SI = 0% and with Vf = 0%) denoted as a control beam. Meanwhile one more beams with full shear reinforcement (SI = 0%) and with fibre volume fraction of Vf = 1% constructed respectively. The experimental work has been considered four point flexural tests on simply supported beam. Consequently, numerical modelling with finite element method FEM software Abaqus for calibration and validation of experiment results considered. First, sensitivity analysis (mesh and time) conducted up to acquire the best correlation with experimental result. Then, the experiments result of beams was used, for calibration in FEM modelling investigation. The results comparison showed that there is a good agreement between the experimental test and nonlinear finite element analysis NLFEA results. Generally, this investigation demonstrated up to 37% improvement on structure properties of OPS-RC beam by addition of Vf = 2%kenaf fiber.