Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber on Geopolymer Concrete when it is Subjected to Alternative Drying and Wetting

Various types of fibers like glass, steel, coconut fiber, sugarcane bagasse fiber, etc are used to increase the mechanical properties of the concrete. SCBF is the final residue of the sugar industries which is used in this study. The objective of the paper is to study the effect of SCBF in geopolymer concrete (GPC) and conventional concrete (CC) of equivalent grade of M40 when it is subjected to alternative drying and wetting. The specimens are treated with water by alternative wetting and drying process. This test consists of periodic cycles, each cycle consists of one wetting day and drying day. The specimens are tested for the compressive strengths after 7, 14 and 28 cycles. The compressive strength of the CCF and GPCF are higher than the CC and GPC respectively and the optimum compressive strengths are obtained at 0.5% of fiber dosage. The % loss of compressive strength and % loss of weights of CCF and GPCF are calculated and compared with the CC and GPC. From the results obtained, the strength loss and the weight loss in the CCF and GPCF are less when compared to the CC and GPC when treated in alternative wetting and drying process