Comparative Study on Strength of Concrete Structures Using Human Hair and Nylon Fiber in Concrete

Fiber can be defined as a small piece of reinforcing material possessing certain dimensional characteristics. The properties of fiber reinforced concrete are very much affected by the type of fiber. The properties of fiber reinforced concrete are very much affected by the type of fiber. Fibers are secondary reinforced material and acts as crack arrester. Prevention of propagation of cracks originating from internal flaws can result in improvements in static and dynamic properties of matrix. Fiber reinforced cement and concrete materials (FRC) have been developed progressively since the early work by Romualdi and Batson in the 1960s. By the 1990s, a wide range of fiber composites and FRC products were commercially available and novel manufacturing techniques were developed for use with high fiber content. In parallel with the commercial development of FRC materials and products, an extensive research programme was undertaken to quantify the enhanced properties of FRC materials and more specifically to allow comparisons to be made between various types of fibers. Fiber reinforced concrete is one among those advancements which offers a convenient, practical and economical method for overcoming micro cracks and similar type of deficiencies. Since concrete is weak in tension hence some measures must be adopted to overcome this deficiency. Human hair is generally strong in tension; hence it can be used as a fiber reinforcement material. Human hair Fiber is an alternative non-degradable matter available in abundance and at cheap cost. It also reduces environmental problems. Also addition of human hair fibers enhances the binding properties, micro cracking control, Imparts ductility and also increases swelling resistance. The experimental findings in our studies would encourage future research in the direction for long term performance to extending this cost of effective type of fibers for use in structural applications. Experiments were conducted on concrete cubes, cubes and beams of standard sizes with addition of various percentages of human hair fiber and nylon fiber. Experiments were conducted on concrete cubes, cubes and beams of standard sizes with addition of various percentages of human hair fiber and nylon fiber i.e., 0%, 0.7%, and 1.4% by weight of cement, fine & coarse aggregate and results were compared with those of plain cement concrete of M-30 grade. For each percentage of human hair and nylon fiber are added separately in concrete, cubes and beams were tested for their respective mechanical properties at curing periods of 7 and 28 days. slump cone test were undertaken as well as hardened concrete test is compressive strength and Flexural Strength at the age of 7 and 28 days was obtained.