Fracture and flexural characterization of natural fiber-reinforced polymer concrete

Mechanical characterization of epoxy polymer concrete reinforced with natural fibers is investigated in this work to analyze the possibility of substitution by synthetic fibers. These natural fibers Studied are coconut, sugar cane bagasse, and banana fibers. All of these fibers come from their specific products after they have been used, i.e. as recycle. As the natural fibers are agriculture waste, manufacturing natural product is, therefore, an economic and interesting option. The main idea is to use the fibers like they come from nature without any kind of preparation. The comparison between epoxy polymer concrete reinforced with natural fibers, unreinforced and reinforced with synthetic fibers is made. A brief description of how the natural fibers are obtained and manufacturing process of polymer concrete is also made. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.