Characterization of Crushed Brick Lightweight Concrete Reinforced with Palm Fibers

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of palm fibers on the properties of lightweight concrete. Such lightweight concrete was produced from coarse lightweight crushed brick and fine lightweight crushed brick (CLWA and FLWA). Different percentages of palm fiber; 0, 0.25, 0.5 0.75, 1, and 1.25% based on volumetric fractions were included with lightweight concrete mixes. The properties tested include fresh density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, static modulus of elasticity, absorption, flexural strength, and toughness indices. The results show that the use of 0.75% of palm fiber would raise the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of the lightweight concrete by about 11%, 47% and 18%, respectively. The same percentage of palm fibers would significantly enhance the toughness performance of crushed brick lightweight concrete.