Synergistic Effects of Natural Fiber and Silica Fume on the Hardened Properties of Concrete

Date palm fiber (DPF), a natural lignocellulosic fiber from date palm trees, offers several advantages over synthetic alternatives, including lower production costs, eco-friendliness, and ease of integration into concrete mixtures. Despite these benefits, its application in structural concrete remains limited due to its impact on mechanical performance. The effect of DPF on the hardened properties of concrete is investigated. A 10% replacement of cement with silica fume was adopted to offset strength reduction due to DPF. DPF was incorporated at dosages of 0, 1, 2, and 3% by weight of cement. Findings indicate that increasing DPF content decreases compressive strength while increasing water absorption. In contrast, flexural and split tensile strengths were observed to improve with higher DPF levels. Substituting 10% of the cement with silica fume notably enhanced mechanical behavior and reduced water absorption, successfully diminishing the adverse effects resulting from up to 2% DPF integration.