Exploring the potential of Himalayan Giant Nettle fiber and supplementary cementitious materials for sustainable concrete development

Abstract

The concrete industry’s increasing demand poses a significant environmental challenge due to its high carbon footprint. Addressing this issue requires the integration of sustainable materials into concrete production. This study aimed to evaluate the Himalayan Giant Nettle (HGN) fiber as a novel natural reinforcement alternative, alongside Fly Ash (FA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in M30 concrete. While FA and RHA have been almost thoroughly researched as SCMs to enhance concrete characteristics and lower cement usage, the use of HGN fiber in concrete remains to be explored. The FA and RHA replacements of 20% by weight enhanced compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS) and split tensile strength (STS), respectively. HGN fibers at 1% volume optimally increased CS, FS, and STS by 16.2%, 33.33%, and 36.90%, respectively. However, exceeding 1% HGN fiber content negatively affected workability and strength. The fiber’s ability to bridge cracks, reduce stress concentration, and improve flexibility contributed to the observed improvements. Further, HGN fiber’s low cost, renewable nature, and potential to significantly reduce concrete weight make it a promising sustainable option. This paper confirms the significant positive impact of incorporating HGN fiber as a promising eco-friendly alternative for concrete reinforcement, thereby contributing to the ongoing research on developing more eco-friendly construction materials.