Properties of Human Hair-Reinforced Concrete with the

addition of Superplasticizer in terms of Mechanical Properties

(Compressive Strength and Tensile Strength), Workability
and Water Absorption
Neil Myco D. Sarsalejo, Jims Bryll Senajon, & Jovell Carloise B. Manalili
Department of Civil Engineering, University of San Carlos, Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City 6000

INTRODUCTION RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Human hair is one of our environment's most common
residual wastes, which can cause floods and clogs if In Figure 7, on the 10th day, NC outperformed
disposed of improperly. The hair neither decays nor leaves 0.5% SP and 1.0% SP, but 1.5% SP achieved the
intact for safe reuse or recycling. Some applications involve highest value. By the 28th day, all samples
either contamination of the hair with toxic chemicals or surpassed NC, with a slight decrease in 1.0% SP
irreversible blending with certain non-biodegradable or compared to 0.5% SP, while 1.5% SP exhibited
the highest strength. These fluctuations are
ecologically unsafe materials. attributed to the consistent w/c ratio, causing
The concrete industry, on the other hand, has been working varying superplasticizer interactions with the
same water quantity and resulting in distinct
on producing concrete with fiber fillers as reinforcement to strength outcomes.
make it much more durable. One example is using hair as a
fiber filler for concrete to enhance its physical and Figure 7. Average compressive strength of each batch
mechanical properties. after 10-day and 28-day curing

Human hair is good in tension; hence it can be used as a In figure 8, the splitting tensile strength
fiber-reinforcing material. Hair fiber, an alternate non- Figure 1. Hair- r einforced concrete consistently decreases without a superplasticizer,
degradable matter, is available in abundance and at a very with superplasticizer samples aligning with Ravikumar's findings, emphasizing
cheap cost. that excess superplasticizer compromises
concrete cohesiveness, resulting in strength
reduction [4]. The 0.5% SP enhances workability,
OBJECTIVES providing an initial tensile strength boost.
[1] To determine the 10-day and 28-day mechanical properties [compressive (ASTM However, the 1.0% dosage falls short of 28-day
C39), tensile (ASTM C496), and water absorption) of normal concrete, 0.5%, 1%, and compressive strength, and the 1.5% dosage
1.5% addition of superplasticizer by weight of cement with hair of 3% by weight of cement exhibits a significant decline in tensile strength,
deviating from the intended goal.
[2] To the workability of the normal concrete and concrete mixture with 3% hair fiber Figure 8. Average split tensile strength of each batch
added with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% superplasticizer by using ASTM C143-90 after 10-day and 28-day curing
Figure 9 shows normal concrete with the highest
MATERIALS AND METHODS slump, indicating superior workability, followed by
the 1.5% superplasticizer mixture. Higher
Materials plasticizer doses correlate with increased slump
• Waste Hair values, highlighting a direct link to workability. The
• Coarse slump test emphasizes the substantial impact of
Aggregates adding superplasticizer on mixture workability,
• Fine Aggregates with the average slump of the 1.5% mixture
• Portland Cement comparable to normal concrete and other
• Water Figure 9. Comparison of average slump for four different mixtures also showing improved slump.
concrete mixtures

Methods In Figure 10, water absorption percentages vary

Figure 2. Schematic Framework
Waste Human Hair significantly, influenced by overall sample
outcomes. The 10-day strength of 1.5% with SP
Collected hair wastes from barbershops and cut to 0.75 inches. Cleaned with shampoo and
displays elevated water absorption due to cracks
rinsed twice which was sun-dried after. Mixed into concrete as per the required percentage
and holes from uneven settling. Yet, it's crucial to
by weight of cement and transferred into 150 mm x 300 mm cylindrical molds.
note that overall water absorption for each sample
Mixture Proportion remains within the acceptable range, below the
Mix design followed ACI 211.1 standards which was calculated manually (refer to Table 1). standard's 7% threshold for satisfactory levels.
Hair percentage derived from Santos, F.D. et al. (2020), and superplasticizer dosage from
M.A.O. Ahmed (2018). Figure 10. Average weight comparison of four concrete
mixtures (compressive and tension) after 10 -day and
Table 1. Hair fiber-reinforced pervious concrete design mix proportions (kg) 28-day curing periods

Dosage No. of Volum

3
Water Cement Sand Gravel Hair SP CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS
of SP Samples e (m ) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (g) (g) • 1.5% SP was the strongest among the three levels, with the least compressive strength found at 1% SP on
average. Notably, 0.5% SP produced the highest individual sample results at 28.08 MPa and 27.41 MPa.
NC (0%) 3 0.018 3.708 7.416 13.31 15.85 0 0 The 0.5% dosage emerges as the optimal choice, showing a significant improvement in tensile strength from
2.19 MPa at 10 days to 2.59 MPa at 28 days, surpassing specified criteria and achieving a favorable balance
0.5% 3 0.018 3.708 7.416 13.31 15.85 222.48 37.08 between compressive and tensile strength. Neither the 1.0% nor the 1.5% dosage is fully suitable due to
limitations in achieving the desired balance between compressive and tensile strength. The optimal choice
1.0% 3 0.018 3.708 7.416 13.31 15.85 222.48 74.15
for hair-reinforced concrete is the 0.5% superplasticizer dosage, consistently surpassing specified criteria
1.5% 3 0.018 3.708 7.416 13.31 15.85 222.48 111.24 and striking a favorable balance in both compressive and tensile strength.
• The slump test highlights the profound effect of adding superplasticizer on mixture workability. Notably, the
1.5% superplasticizer mixture proves to be the most effective, closely matching the workability standard of
Test Methods normal concrete. Contrary to the expected correlation between lower water absorption and higher durability,
A total of 48 specimens was generated to investigate the three properties including our samples, particularly the 1.5% SP mixture with the highest absorption at 0.9%, exhibited superior
compressive strength, split tensile strength, and water absorption after 10 and 28 days of durability with an average MPa of 22.16. The varying outcomes suggest potential influences from factors like
curing. The workability was tested before the sample were transferred to molds which was sample cracking during curing.
Researchers recommend further steps to take to improve and understand more of this study:
done by a slump test.
• Pay careful attention to hair placement challenges in future research due to its abundance and tendency to
Statistical Treatment of Data clump when water is introduced.
Tables and graphs were presented to describe the properties of concrete that were • Explore diverse mix designs (aggregates, cement type, and water-to-cement ratio) when studying the impact
observed by the three experimental mixes of concrete tested at the 10th and 28th-day state of superplasticizer on hair-reinforced concrete.
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of long-term durability and weathering effects, as our study primarily
after curing. The results presented primarily focused on compressive strength, tensile focused on short-term strength characteristics.
strength, workability test (slump), and water absorption, REFERENCES
[1] Santos, F D; Taguba, M A M; Alzona, A R; Basada, R C S; Elbit, J M A; et al. (Mar 2020) Optimization of the Compressive
Strength of Hair Fiber Reinforced Concrete Using Central Composite Design. IOP Conference Series. Materials Science and
Engineering; Bristol Vol. 771, Iss. 1.H. Zhu, C. Wen, Z. Wang, and L. Li, “Study on the permeability of recycled aggregate
pervious concrete with fibers,” Materials, vol. 13, no. 2, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.3390/ma13020321.
[2] Ravikumar, C. S., Ramasamy, V., & Thandavamoorthy, T. S. (2015). Effect of fibers in concrete composites. International
Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 10(1), 419-430.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282006096_Effect_of_Fibers_In_Concrete_Composites
[[3] Narain das Bheel, Paul Awoyera, Oluwatobi Aluko, Santosh Mahro, Amelec Viloria, Carlos Alberto Severiche Sierra
(2020). Sustainable composite development: Novel use of human hair as fiber in concrete. Case Studies in Construction
Materials, Volume 13, e00412, ISSN 2214-5095
[4] Manaf , A., M V, A., Jomichan, A., & Varghese, G. M. (n.d.). Human hair fibre reinforced concrete - IJERT. Retrieved
October 9, 2022, from https://www.ijert.org/research/human-hair-fibre-reinforced-concrete-IJERTV6IS030528.pdf
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Figure 3. Compressive Figure 4. Split-tensile Figure 5. Slump test Figure 6. Water
Engr. Joey Cyndell T. Atillo-Yu, Engr. Imadyl C. Damuag; Engr. Kathrina Marie Borgonia; Engr. Aida Lebunfacil;
strength test strength test Absorption
Engr. Franklin John T.; Engr. Oliver Dave L. Maguyon; Friends; Family of the Researchers; and to Almighty Father.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING