Effect of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Confinement on Axial Compressive Strength of Concrete

This paper investigates the effects of the natural fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confinement of concrete cylinders on axial compressive strength. Jute and hemp were used as natural cellulosic FRP confinement. Results were compared with the mineral fiber-based basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) confinement on concrete cylinders. Sixteen concrete cylinders of 100 mm diameter and 200 mm height were cast and tested. The parameters considered were the type of FRP and the number of layers. The effect of confinement on the axial compressive strength of the tested specimens was ascertained and discussed. It was observed that jute and hemp FRP confinement resulted in a small increase in the axial compressive strength as compared to the BFRP confinement. The results demonstrated that the natural mineral fiber-based FRP, i.e. Basalt FRP confinement showed a superior performance as compared to the natural cellulosic fiber-based FRP, i.e. jute and hemp FRP confinement.