Influence of Cellulose Fiber on Mechanical Strengths of Concrete
The addition of fiber sto concrete matrix has been a norm to enhance the mechanical strength of concrete. However, the use ot synthetic fibers (artificial fibers) is rampant compared to natural fibers due to a low mechanical strength of some natural fibers. The study added cellulose fiber made from jute at 0.2%, 0.25, and 0.3% of cement weight to concrete matrix to determine their influence on the early strength development. It was observed that compressive strength and flexural strength increases as the proportion of fiber added to the concrete increased. Further observation showed that the compressive strength had its optimum point at 0.3% fiber addition. However, the optimum point of the flexural strength lied at 0.25% fiber addition. It was concluded that cellulose fiber is capable of enhancing the mechanical strengths of concrete matrix.