The Use of Straw Grass as a Sustainable Approach in Reinforcement of Ring Culvert

Abstract

The feasibility of using straw grass as a natural reinforcement material in concrete was investigated in this study, with a focus on the effects on the concrete's slump, compressive, and tensile strengths. This was accomplished by creating three concrete mixes with varying percentages of straw grass (0.0% (control), 0.5%, and 1.0%). Following 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of curing, these mixtures were examined. The results of the slump test indicated that the concrete became less workable when straw grass was added. According to this decline in slump, the concrete's fluidity and placing ease decrease with the percentage of straw grass. Straw grass-reinforced concrete's strength was lower than the control, according to the compressive strength results. This implies that adding straw grass reduces the concrete's resistance to compressive loads. Contrarily, the addition of straw grass had a positive effect on the concrete's tensile strength. The 0.5% and 1.0% straw grass mixtures showed tensile strengths of 2.95 MPa and 3.35 MPa, respectively, at 28 days, whereas the control mix has a tensile value of 2.75 MPa. These numbers show how much more tensile force resistance the straw grass-reinforced concrete can withstand. In summary, although straw grass is a renewable and biodegradable material with considerable environmental benefits, its usage in concrete significantly reduces its compressive and increases tensile strengths. Therefore, non-structural applications where strength is not the main concern, including partition walls and landscape features, are better suited for straw grass-reinforced concrete. In order to increase performance, more research is advised to examine methods of strengthening the link between straw grass and the cement matrix as well as the possibilities of hybrid reinforcement systems, which mix straw grass with traditional reinforcement materials.