Investigating Fiber Reinforcement Solutions for Environmentally Sustainable and Technologically

Mahmoud Abo El-Wafa *

Department. of Civil and Environmental Eng., Faculty of Engineering at Rabigh King Abdulaziz University, , 21911 Rabigh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
 
Review
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2024, 11(02), 044–049.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2024.11.2.0089
Publication history: 
Received on 26 January 2024; revised on 07 March 2024; accepted on 09 March 2024
 
Abstract: 
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) marks a significant change in construction technology, providing a way to create more long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and creative building materials. This study explores the many benefits, difficulties, and potential opportunities of FRC, emphasizing its importance in improving building methods. FRC is a composite material that combines various fibers including steel, glass, synthetic, and natural fibers with concrete to increase structural stability by increasing tensile strength, fracture resistance, and impact resilience. Sustainable FRC emphasizes the use of recycled or natural fibers to reduce environmental implications, encourage waste reduction, and conserve resources. Exploring recyclable resources like steel fibers from scrap steel or used tires offers a sustainable option to typical reinforcing materials. This method not only reuses trash but also reduces the carbon footprint linked to new steel production, aiding in achieving sustainable development objectives. The use of natural fibers like as jute, sisal, bamboo, and flax in FRC provides biodegradable, renewable, and low-carbon-footprint alternatives, improving the eco-friendliness of building materials. Although FRC has promise benefits, certain obstacles hinder its broad use. It is crucial to evenly distribute fibers in the concrete mix to provide the appropriate mechanical qualities, requiring improved mixing procedures for consistent dispersion. Moreover, the resilience of natural fibers in the alkaline concrete setting is a notable obstacle, leading to investigations on surface treatments to improve fiber compatibility and lifespan. In the future, combining smart technology with FRC is set to transform the building sector. Advancements like self-healing concrete, conductive fibers, and shape memory alloys provide materials that can repair themselves, monitor structural health in real-time, and enhance mechanical performance. The progress highlights the capability of FRC to enhance sustainability and efficiency in building while incorporating intelligent features to prolong the lifespan and dependability of structures. This study thoroughly examines the environmental advantages, mechanical improvements, problems, and future prospects of FRC. Ongoing research and development are being used to address obstacles in integrating FRC into construction practices, which shows promise in creating more resilient, sustainable, and innovative building solutions. This marks a significant advancement in the search for advanced construction materials.
 
Keywords: 
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete; Sustainable Development; Recycled Materials; Construction Technology
 
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