Investigating the Effect of Sisal Fibre Content on Durability Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Lightweight foamed concrete is greatly permeable, and its durability performance reduce with rising in the number of voids. In turn to improve its durability properties, the solid matrix of lightweight foamed concrete can be adjusted by incorporating several plant-based fibres. The effect of sisal fibre in lightweight foamed concrete was not explored before in the current body of knowledge. Therefore, there is some uncertainty considering the mechanism by which and the extent to which the sisal fibre may impact lightweight foamed concrete durability properties. Thus, this laboratory study concentrates on distinguishing the potential employment of sisal fibre into lightweight foamed concrete. This investigation aims to establish the durability performance of lightweight foamed concrete with the presence of sisal fibre. Densities of 800 and 1600 kg/m3 were made and assesed. Different weight fractions of sisal fibre of 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6% and 0.8% were utilized. There were four durability perfomance of lightweight foamed concrete were evaluated such as shrinkage, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), porosity and water absorption capacity. The experimental results had indicated that the addition of 0.6% of sisal fibre gave the optimum results for the durability properties. At 0.6% weight fraction of sisal fibre, the fibres reached maximum compaction in the cement matrix, which stemmed in exceptional mix regularity. Further than 0.6% inclusion of sisal fibre, accumulation and non-regularity scattering of fibres was detected, which led to reduction in entire parameters assessed.