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.

The purpose of this study is to review the available literature on the effectiveness of fibers in preventing early-age shrinkage cracking on cementitious concrete. The overview describes the widely used ASTM C1579 (Standard Test Method for Evaluating Plastic Shrinkage Cracking of Restrained Fiber Reinforced Concrete (Using a Steel Form Insert) for plastic shrinkage cracking. The past literature used crack length, width, or area to describe and quantify cracks on concrete specimens. To keep things simple, this review expresses the length, width or area as a percentage of the control specimen. Finally, the study establishes a relationship between fiber volume and aspect ratio on plastic shrinkage and compressive strength of concrete. It was concluded that fiber is sufficient enough to mitigate plastic shrinkage cracking. An increase in fiber volume and aspect ratio reduces the early-age cracking of concrete but harm its compressive strength.