Citation :

Mabel Liz Zevallos Cruz, Angel Anibal Almerco Yalico, Alí Pompeyo Rivera Leiva, Giancarlo Fernando Meza Terbullino, "Experimental Evaluation of the Fresh and Hardened State Performance of Flowable Concrete Reinforced with Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF)," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 217-238, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I9P113

Abstract

Conventional concrete exhibits brittle behavior under tensile and flexural stresses, which promotes crack initiation and may reduce its durability. The incorporation of natural fibers such as pineapple leaf fiber represents a promising alternative for improving the mechanical performance of concrete. In this study, an experimental approach was used to evaluate the influence of four Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) dosages-0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% by weight of cement-on flowable concrete, compared with a control mixture under equivalent cement and water contents. Fresh-state performance was assessed through slump, unit weight, air content, slump-flow, J-Ring, and L-box tests, while hardened-state performance was evaluated through compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength tests at 7 and 28 days. The results showed that the 0.6% PALF dosage provided the best overall balance between fresh-state performance and mechanical resistance, increasing compressive strength by 22.32% and splitting tensile strength by 37.42% at 28 days compared with the control mixture. Although the 0.8% dosage produced the highest flexural strength, it also caused a marked reduction in flowability and passing ability. Therefore, a PALF dosage of 0.6% was identified as the most favorable overall condition within the evaluated range.

Keywords

Flowable concrete, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF), Natural fibers, Fresh-state properties, Hardened-state properties, Workability, Compressive strength, Flexural strength, Sustainable concrete, Fiber-reinforced concrete.

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