Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Reinforced with Natural Cellulose Fibers

This study investigates the impact of natural cellulose fiber reinforcement on the compressive strength of concrete through experimental analysis. The research compares the compressive strength of conventional concrete with that of concrete reinforced with varying percentages of natural cellulose fiberss (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%). Statistical analyses, including t-tests and Levene's Test for Equality of Variances, were conducted to assess the significance of differences in compressive strength between the different concrete compositions. The results indicate a significant improvement in compressive strength with increasing percentages of natural cellulose fibers reinforcement, peaking at 3% fiber content. However, a slight decrease in compressive strength is observed at 4% natural cellulose fiber content. These findings suggest that a 3% natural cellulose fiber content offers optimal enhancement in compressive strength compared to conventional concrete. Specifically, the mean compressive strength for conventional concrete is 28.73 N/mm², while for natural cellulose fiber-reinforced concrete at 3% fiber content, it increases to 37.14 N/mm². Overall, this research underscores the potential of cellulose fibers as a viable reinforcement material for improving the mechanical properties of concrete in construction applications.