Flax and coir fibres have the potential to be used as reinforcement in fibre reinforced polymer and concrete, respectively. This study investigates the effect of coir fibre inclusion and flax fibre reinforced polymer thickness on the dynamic and static properties of flax fibre reinforced polymer tube confined coir fibre reinforced concrete. Plain concrete and coir fibre reinforced concrete beams are considered as references. The properties investigated include natural frequencies, dynamic and static modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, damping ratio, compressive strength, stress–strain behaviour, ductility and confinement effectiveness. Axial compression test revealed that flax fibre reinforced polymer tube confinement significantly increases axial compressive strength and ductility of the confined concrete composite. The increase in compressive strength and structural ductility is directly proportional to an increase in tube thickness. Dynamic test revealed that both coir fibre and flax fibre reinforced polymer tube improve the damping of the structure considerably, thus reducing the effect of dynamic loading on the structural response.
MirmiranAShahawyM. Behavior of concrete columns confined by fiber composites. J Struct Eng ASCE1997; 23(5): 583–590.
2.
YanLChouwN. Experimental study of flax FRP tube encased coir fibre reinforced concrete composite column. Constr Build Mater2013; 40: 1118–1127.
3.
Mohamed HMH. Axial and flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete-filled FRP tubes: experimental and theoretical studies. Ph.D Thesis, University of Sherbrooke, Canada, 2010.
4.
YanLBDuchezAChouwN. Effect of bond on compressive behavior of flax fibre reinforced polymer tube-confined coir fibre reinforced concrete. J Reinf Plast Compos2013; 32(4): 273–285.
5.
FardisMNKhaliliHH. FRP-encased concrete as a structural material. Mag Concrete Res1983; 34(121): 191–202.
6.
MirmiranAShahawyM. A new concrete-filled hollow FRP composite column. Compos Part B: Eng1995; 27(B): 263–268.
7.
FamAPandoMPFilzG. Precast piles for route 40 bridge in Virginia using concrete filled FRP tubes. PCI J2003; 48(3): 31–40.
8.
MandalSHoskinAFamA. Influence of concrete strength on confinement effectiveness of fibre-reinforced polymer circular jackets. Struct J ACI2005; 102(3): 383–392.
9.
BerthetJFerrierEHamelinP. Compressive behavior of concrete externally confined by composite jackets Part A: experimental study. Constr Build Mater2005; 19(3): 338–347.
10.
ZohrevandPMirmiranA. Behaviour of ultra high performance concrete confined by fibre reinforced polymers. J Mater Civil Eng ASCE2011; 23(12): 1727–1734.
11.
Pacheco-TorgalFJalaliSFucicA. Toxicity of building materials, Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2012.
12.
HollawayLCKey issues in the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the rehabilitation and retrofitting of concrete structure. In: KarbhariVMLeeLS (eds). Service life estimation and extension of civil engineering structures, Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2011, pp. 8–11.
BalaguruPNShahSP. Fiber-reinforced cement composites, New York: McGraw‐Hill, 1992.
15.
VinsonKDDnielJI. Specialty cellulose fibres for cement reinforcement. In: Thin section fibre reinforced concrete and ferrocement, SP-124. Detroit: ACI, 1990, pp. 1–18.
16.
Pacheco-TorgalFJalaliS. Cementitious building materials reinforced with vegetable fibres: a review. Constr Build Mater2011; 25(2): 575–581.
17.
AliMLiuASouH. Mechanical and dynamic properties of coconut fibre reinforced concrete. Constr Build Mater2012; 30: 814–825.
18.
LuoXSunWChanSYN. Characteristics of high-performance steel fibre-reinforced concrete subjected to high velocity impact. Cem Concr Res2000; 30(6): 907–914.
19.
YanHDSunWChenHS. The effect of silica fume and steel fibre on the dynamic mechanical performance of hign strength concrete. Cem Concr Res1999; 29(3): 423–426.
20.
Yan L and Chouw N. Behavior and analytical modeling of natural flax fibre-reinforced polymer tube confined plain concrete and coir fibre-reinforced concrete. J Compos Mater 2012; 47(17): 2133–2148.
21.
ASTM. Standard test mothods for tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials, ASTM D3039. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2008.
22.
ASTM. Standard test mothods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and eletrical insulating materials, ASTM D790. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2010.
23.
YanLChouwNYuanXW. Improving the mechanical properties of natural fibre fabric reinforced epoxy composites by alkali treatment. J Reinf Plast Compos2012; 31(6): 425–437.
24.
ACI 211. 1-91. Standard practice for selecting proportions for normal, heavyweight, and mass concrete, Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute, 1991.
25.
ASTM. Standard practice for making and curing concrete test specimen in the laboratary, ASTM C192. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2007.
26.
ASTM. Standard test mothods for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens, ASTM C39. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2010.
27.
ASTM. Standard test mothod for static modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio of concrete in compression, ASTM C469. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2002.
28.
ASTM. Standard test method for fundamental transverse, longitudinal, and torsional resonant frequencies of concrete specimens, ASTM C215-08. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2008.
29.
ShabanaAA. Theory of vibration: an introduction, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1991, pp. 322–322.
30.
ASTM. Standard test method for pulse velocity through concrete, ASTM C597-02. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2003.
31.
YanLJenkinsCHPendletonRL. Polyolefin fibre-reinforced concrete composite Part I: damping and frequency characteristics. Cem Concr Res2000; 30(3): 391–401.
Yan LB, Chouw N. Crashworthiness characteristics of flax fibre reinforced epoxy tubes for energy absorption application. Materials and Design 2013. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2013.04.014.
