Efficiency of silica-fume content in plain and natural fiber reinforced concrete for concrete road

Abstract The coconut fiber (CF) has the benefit of highest toughness among natural fibers. The abundant availability and low cost make it more convenient for its use in concrete composites. The thickness of concrete roads can be reduced with the use of natural fibers. In this study, the mechanical properties including energy absorption and toughness indices of silica-fume plain concrete (S-PC) and silica-fume coconut fiber reinforced concrete (S-CFRC) with addition of different silica-fume contents, i.e. 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, by cement mass, are considered. Also, the reduction in thickness of concrete roads is evaluated using American concrete pavement association StreetPave thickness design software. It is found that S-CFRC has generally improved mechanical properties with 15% SF content, than that of their respective S-PC. Furthermore, the reduction in thickness of concrete road with optimal content of SF in CFRC is observed up to 12 mm. Thus, the enhancement in mechanical properties of S-CFRC favors its utility to be used in concrete roads for thickness reduction.