DefinePK

Abstract

This paper presents the effect of kenaf fibre and steel fibre mixed and added into reinforced concrete beams. In investigating the structural behaviour of the beams, four-point bending tests were conducted on six beams by considering two distinct parameters; (i) shear reinforcement arrangement (ii) volume of fraction of kenaf fibre and steel fibre. The experimental work consists of six beams, three beams with full shear reinforcement added with fibres by a volume fraction of Vf = 0%, Vf = 1% and Vf = 2%, respectively. Whilst, the other three beams tested with a reduced amount of shear reinforcement added with fibres with a volume fraction of, Vf = 0, Vf = 1% and Vf = 2% were examined. The beam with Vf = 0% kenaf and steel fibre in full shear reinforcement was taken as the control beam. The experimental result suggests promising enhancement of the load carrying capacity (up to 29%) and ductility (up to 22%) as well as controlled crack propagation for the beams with Vf = 1%. Additionally, it was observed that addition of fibres changes the mode of failure of the beam from brittle to a more ductile manner.