Characterization of Novel Natural Fiber-Reinforced Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites

In this research work, efforts to develop a sustainable natural fiber-reinforced strain-hardening cementitious composite (NFSHCC) mixture are attempted. The key objective of the present study is to develop and characterize the NFSHCC mixture prepared using plant-based fibers such as pineapple, flax, kenaf, and hemp. First, the raw natural fibers were pretreated using an alkaline NaOH solution to remove the biodegradable properties such as wax, lignin, and so on. Using the treated natural fibers, an NFSHCC mixture was produced for a detailed mechanical and morphological characterization. Results reveal that flax fiber-based SHCC could develop the characteristics of artificial fiber-based SHCC, such as high tensile strength and large ultimate strain limits. Specifically, the flax SHCC specimens showed a large tensile strength and ultimate strain values of 10.3 MPa (1.49 ksi) and 2.5%, respectively. Moreover, the microstructural characterization using fieldemission scanning electron microscope analysis (FESEM) revealed excellent matrix-fiber bonding, which eventually led all NFSHCC samples to exhibit better mechanical properties on par with the commercial fibers.