• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2010

This paper describes the compaction and strength behavior of black cotton soil (BC soil) reinforced with coir fibers. Coir used in this study is processed fiber from the husk of coconuts. BC soil reinforced with coir fiber shows only marginal increase in the strength of soil, inhibiting its use for ground improvement. In order to further increase the strength of the soil-coir fiber combination, optimum percentage of 4% of lime is added. The effect of aspect ratio, percentage fiber on the behavior of the composite soil specimen with curing is isolated and studied. It is found that strength properties of optimum combination of BC soil-lime specimens reinforced with coir fibers is appreciably better than untreated BC soil or BC soil alone with coir fiber. Lime treatment in BC soil improves strength but it imparts brittleness in soil specimen. BC soil treated with 4% lime and reinforced with coir fiber shows ductility behavior before and after failure. An optimum fiber content of 1% (by weight) with aspect ratio of 20 for fiber was recommended for strengthening BC soil.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.197-208
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• 2009

Changes occurring in jute and coir fiber composites with 2-8% concentration of a NaOH treatment for 24 h were investigated, respectively, for void content, microscopy images, mechanical properties and water absorption. The jute and coir fibers were vacuum dried before molding composite specimens. Mechanical properties indicated good adhesion between natural fibers and PP. Jute fibers, when alkali-treated with 2% concentration for 24 h, showed best improvement in tensile strength by 40% and modulus by 9%, respectively, while coir fibers, when alkali-treated with 6% concentration for 24 h, showed best improvement in tensile strengths by 62% and modulus by 17%, respectively. With 2% concentration of alkali-treatments, the elongation of jute and coir composites reached 8% and 13.5%, respectively. Moisture absorption for jute and coir composites are 50% and 60% lower than untreated fiber composites, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.230-234
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• 2007

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2000

Covering rate, visual rating and sod development were evaluated under three natural fiber materials with Phragmites spp. when over a plastic sheet. The results were as follows. (1) The last covering rate was high on jute net, coir mat and on Miscanthus sacchariflorus, respectively while the early covering rate was high on coir mat and on Miscanthus sinensis+perennial ryegrass. (2) The early growth was good on perennial ryegrass but the covering rate gradually turned poor because of summer drought. (3) Sod was highly developed on Phragmites japonica, Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis compared with other species and mixtures. (4) The covering rate and visual rating were high on natural fiber materials such as coir mat and jute net when compared with on natural fiber materials such as none treatment plots. (5) The natural fibers materials on Phragmites spp. and Miscanthus spp. were effect on sod establishment. Sod coir mat was highly established. (6) The carpet-type sod was best developed on the coir mat.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.286-294
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• 2006

This study has examined the flexural properties of natural and chemically modified coir fiber reinforced cementitious composites (CFRCC). Coir fibers of two different average lengths were used, and the longer coir fibers were also treated with a 1% NaOH solution for comparison. The fibers were combined with cementitious materials and chemical agents (dispersant, defoamer or wetting agent) to form CFRCC. The flexural properties of the composites, including elastic stress, flexural strength, toughness and toughness index, were measured. The effects of fiber treatments, addition of chemical agents and accelerated ageing of composites on the composites' flexural properties were examined. The results showed that the CFRCC samples were 5-12 % lighter than the conventional mortar, and that the addition of coir fibers improved the flexural strength of the CFRCC materials. Toughness and toughness index, which were associated with the work of fracture, were increased more than ten times. For the alkalized long coir fiber composites, a higher immediate and long-term toughness index was achieved. SEM microstructure images revealed improved physicochemical bonding in the treated CFRCC.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2008

To develop suitable alternative substrates in hydroponics of sweet pepper, changes of water contents of substrates and electric conductivity (EC) of drainage nutrient solution, growth and fruit characteristics according to the kind of coir substrates were investigated compared with rockwool. In all coir substrates compared with rockwool during growing period, water contents were higher, EC of drainage nutrient solution except for fiber 50% were lower, and the coefficient of variation were a little, especially were so in fiber 30% of coir substrates. Plant growth in fiber 30% substrate was better than others but there was no significant difference. Photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll content were best in fiber 50% substrate. Fruit weight was no significant difference, but LID ratio and shape of the fruits were good in fiber 50% substrate and rockwool as which were close to regular square. Therefore, it was estimated that mixed coir substrates with fiber $30{\sim}50%$ are enough in possibility as alternative substrate.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.115-127
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• 2014

Addition of fibers in cement or cement concrete may be of current interest, but this is not a new idea or concept. Fibers of any material and shape play an important role in improving the strength and deformation characteristics of the cement matrix in which they are incorporated. The new concept and technology reveal that the engineering advantages of adding fibers in concrete may improve the fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, impact resistance, flexural strength, compressive strength, thermal crack resistance, rebound loss, and so on. The magnitude of the improvement depends upon both the amount and the type of fibers used. In this paper, locally available waste fibers such as coir fibers, sisal fibers and polypropylene fibers have incorporated in concrete with varying percentages and l/d ratio and their effect on compressive, split, flexural, bond and impact resistance have been reported.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.597-612
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• 2016

The present work focuses on the use of coconut fiber in self compacting concrete. Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable, stable concrete which flows readily into place, filling formwork without any consolidation and without undergoing any significant segregation. Use of fibers in SCC bridge the cracks and enhance the performance of concrete by not allowing cracks to propagate. They contribute to an increased energy absorption compared to plain concrete. Coconut fiber has the highest toughness among all natural fibers. It is known that structures in the seismic prone areas are always under the influence of cyclic loading. To justify the importance of strengthening SCC beams with coir fiber, the present work has been undertaken. A comparison is made between cyclic and static loading of coconut fiber reinforced self compacting concrete (FRSCC) members. Using the test data obtained from the experiment, hysteresis loops were drawn and comparison of envelope curve, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation were made and important conclusions were draw to justify the use of coconut fiber in SCC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.279-284
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• 1999

Fiber drain(FD), which is made of organic fibers from jute and coir, has recently been used in several construction projects in the Southeast and East Asia region involving the soil improvement of reclamation fills overlying marine clay. FD is an environmentally friendly product that will naturally be biodegraded into soil after the completion of performance duration as a vertical drain. However, the conventional FD has limited and low-ranged discharge capacity compared to PVD. For this, in this study, the improvement of FD was attempted and new shaped FDs were evaluated by laboratory tests. A series of discharge capacity test was performed to investigate the functional applicability for several types of FDs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

The recent environmental protection issue has diminished the supply of sand for soft ground improvements so much that the prices of sand have shown a sudden rise. Plastic material is one of substitutes for sand material, but plastic is nonperishable and doubtable if it has potential environmental hormone disrupting substances. Moderate-priced natural fiber drain board made with coconut coir and jute filter are in the spotlight recently as an alternative material for sand and plastic drain board etc. Natural fiber drain has not only competitive price but also a characteristic of assimilation into the soils after finishing of its own function. Discharge capacity of the fiber drain board evaluated by triaxial type discharge capacity test was relatively lower than that of plastic drain board. Nevertheless, settlement and pore pressure dissipation behaviors of the fiber drain board and the plastic drain board which were installed in the clayey soil during the composite discharge capacity test were almost similar. It was also found that biodegradation of the fiber drain board was in progress until 18 month after installation in the clayey soil, but they had still enough engineering properties to use at field.