The luffa fibre inclusion in cementitious composites: Mechanical, ballistic and blast resistance testing

The present study investigates the enhancement of concrete dynamic behaviour through the incorporation of natural fibers, with a focus on cylindrical luffa fibres. Concrete is a widely used material in the construction industry. In recent years, the need to replace ordinary concrete reinforcement with eco-friendly materials has gained attention. The fiber cellular network enhances crack-bridging and energy absorption while reducing the environmental cost of the concrete material. Existing research focuses on the effect of fibre inclusions on the compressive and tensile properties. It is crucial to examine the dynamic behaviour of luffa-reinforced concrete considering the rise of accidental and terrorist incidents. This study investigates the resistance of reinforced concrete subjected to ballistic and blast loading. For this reason, three formulations are prepared with 0%, 0.5%, and 1% luffa fibre inclusions. First, the compressive and tensile strengths of the proposed concrete were measured. Next, the material resistance to ballistic and blast loadings was analysed. The results obtained show that adding 0.5% luffa fibres improves ductility and energy dissipation without significantly compromising strength. However, 1% fibre content negatively affects matrix cohesion. This research highlights the potential of bio-based fibres as sustainable reinforcements for high-performance concrete in demanding applications.