Analysis of the Effect of Water Hyacinth Waste Fiber Composition on the Compressive and Tensile Strength of 27 MPa Concrete

Abstract

The utilization of natural fiber waste as a concrete additive has become an alternative approach to improve concrete performance while supporting sustainable construction. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an abundant aquatic plant that poses environmental problems but contains cellulose fibers with the potential to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. This study aimed to analyze the effect of water hyacinth fiber composition on the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete with a design strength of 27 MPa and to determine the optimum fiber content. An experimental method was employed using three concrete mixtures: normal concrete (0%), concrete with 0.025% water hyacinth fiber, and concrete with 0.050% water hyacinth fiber by cement weight. Twenty-seven cylindrical specimens (100 mm × 200 mm) were prepared for compressive strength tests at the ages of 7, 14, and 28 days, while nine cylindrical specimens (150 mm × 300 mm) were tested for splitting tensile strength at the age of 28 days. The results showed that the average 28-day compressive strengths were 26.8 MPa, 26.5 MPa, and 27.0 MPa for the 0%, 0.025%, and 0.050% mixtures, respectively. The average splitting tensile strengths were 3.16 MPa, 3.28 MPa, and 3.59 MPa. The addition of 0.050% water hyacinth fiber produced the best overall performance by maintaining the target compressive strength while increasing the splitting tensile strength. These findings indicate that water hyacinth fiber has considerable potential as an environmentally friendly natural additive for improving the mechanical performance of normal concrete.