Comparative Analysis on the Flexural Performance of Concrete Reinforced with Abaca Fiber, Banana Fiber and Ramie Fiber

This study investigates the comparative flexural performance of concrete reinforced with three distinct types of natural fibers: abaca, banana, and ramie. Concrete specimens were prepared with varying fiber contents (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00%) for each fiber type, and their slump and flexural strength were evaluated. The slump test results revealed a consistent reduction in the workability of concrete as the fiber content increased, indicating the need for optimizing the fiber content to balance the enhanced mechanical properties with the workability requirements. The flexural strength test results showed that the incorporation of abaca and banana fibers at an optimal content of 0.5% significantly improved the flexural strength of the concrete, with increases of 59% and 50%, respectively, compared to the control mix without fibers. The ramie fiber-reinforced concrete exhibited a relatively lower enhancement in flexural strength compared to the abaca and banana fiber-reinforced mixes, though its performance remained comparable to the control. Further analysis using ANOVA confirmed the statistical significance of the fiber content on the flexural strength for abaca and banana fibers, underscoring their efficacy in enhancing the concrete's load-bearing capacity.