Performance and Microstructural Assessment of Concrete Mixes Reinforced with Corn Fiber

This study evaluates the mechanical performance and failure characteristics of concrete reinforced with corn fibers as a sustainable natural additive. Corn fibers were incorporated at 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.5% by weight of cement, with a control mix used for comparison. All mixtures were prepared at a constant water–cement ratio and adjusted for workability using a high-range water-reducing admixture. Results indicate that fiber dosage significantly influences strength and fracture behavior. The 0.5% fiber content yielded the best performance, improving compressive and flexural strength by approximately 36% and 24%, respectively, and promoting enhanced crack control and ductile response. In contrast, excessive fiber addition reduced performance due to fiber clustering and higher pore content. This study confirms that properly proportioned corn fibers can enhance concrete properties while encouraging sustainable construction through the reuse of agricultural waste. SEM further indicated a denser and more refined microstructure in the fiber-modified matrix. An ANOVA analysis and Tukey’s HSD post hoc test were performed to assess the influence of corn fiber content on the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of concrete mixtures, revealing statistically significant effects. Overall, the results highlight the potential of corn fiber reinforcement to improve the short-term mechanical performance of concrete mixes.