Development of Light Weight Coir Reinforced Cement Concrete for Casting of Building Components

Natural fiber like coir is available in abundance all over the world. Properties of cement concrete can be improved with an addition of natural fiber derived from coconut covering. This covering fiber (coir) has excellent tensile strength and sufficient resistance to degradation. This fiber can be used as reinforcement in place of traditional steel reinforcement for building components like lintels over door and window openings, almirah shelves etc. The outer covering of fibrous material of a matured coconut, termed coconut husk, is the reject of coconut fruit. The fibers are normally 50–350 mm long. Due to its high lignin content, coir degradation takes place much more slowly than in other natural fibers. The fiber is also long lasting. The water absorption of that is about 130–180% and diameter is about 0.1–0.6 mm. The degradation of coir depends on the medium of embedment, the climatic conditions and is found to retain its tensile strength for long time.