Experimental study of flax FRP tube encased coir fibre reinforced concrete composite column

The use of natural fibres as building materials is benefit to achieve a sustainable construction. This paper reports on an experimental investigation of a composite column consisting of flax fibre reinforced polymer (FFRP) and coir fibre reinforced concrete (CFRC), i.e. FFRP tube encased CFRC (FFRP-CFRC). In this FFRP-CFRC, coir fibre is the reinforcement of the concrete and FFRP tube as formwork provides confinement to the concrete. Uniaxial compression and third-point bending tests were conducted to assess the compression and flexural performance of the composite column. A total of 36 specimens were tested. The test variables were FFRP tube thickness and coir fibre inclusion. The axial stress-strain response, confinement performance, lateral load-displacement response, bond behaviour and failure modes of the composite column were analysed. In addition, the confined concrete compressive strength was predicted using existing strength equations/models and compared with the experimental results. Results indicate that the FFRP-CFRC composite columns using natural fibres have the potential to be axial and flexural structural members. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.