Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites

Jack Andrew Cottrell; Muhammad Ali; Alireza Tatari; Brett Martinson; Colin Lupton

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites

Jack Andrew Cottrell^*, Muhammad Ali, Alireza Tatari, Brett Martinson, Colin Lupton

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

The use of natural fibres has proven successful in improving the mechanical properties of earthen construction. It is a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to using chemical stabilisers, such as Portland Cement.

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the influence of jute fibre reinforcement on the compressive and tensile splitting strength of Jute Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites (JRCECs). The investigation considered three fibre lengths (10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) and three fibre dosages (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50%) by weight. When compared to an unreinforced control mix, it was found that the incorporation of jute fibre increased the mechanical properties of the JRCEC, with the optimum mix providing an increase in compressive and tensile splitting strength of 100% and 85% respectively.

Within the investigation, Computed Tomography (CT) scans were performed on the JRCEC samples to evaluate the influence of mixing methodology on the fibre distribution and orientation. Findings from this study showed that jute fibre reinforcement may be used to increase the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites, and highlights the importance of mixing methodology during the manufacturing process.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction
Subtitle of host publication	ICEC 2024
Editors	Christopher Beckett, Ana Bras, Antonin Fabbri, Emmanuel Keita, Céline Perlot, Arnaud Perrot
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	495–503
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031626906
ISBN (Print)	9783031626890, 9783031626920
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51
Publication status	Published - 27 Jun 2024
Event	Second International RILEM Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 8 Jul 2024 → 10 Jul 2024

Publication series

Name	RILEM Bookseries
Publisher	Springer Nature
Volume	52
ISSN (Print)	2211-0844
ISSN (Electronic)	2211-0852

Conference

Conference	Second International RILEM Conference on Earthen Construction
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Edinburgh
Period	8/07/24 → 10/07/24

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

Jute Fibre Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites
Compressive Strength
Tensile Splitting Strength
Fibre Distribution and Orientation

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

A study into aspect ratio and the influence of platen restraint on the compressive strength of jute fibre-reinforced compressed earth composites
Ali, M., Cottrell, J. A., Martinson, B. & Lavorato, D., 16 Jan 2026, In: Fibers. 14, 1, 31 p., 13.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
3 Downloads (Pure)
Influence of jute fibre and cement on the mechanical properties of raw earth mortar
Cottrell, J. A., Ali, M., Tatari, A. & Martinson, B., 15 Aug 2025, In: Journal of Building Engineering. 108, 22 p., 112935.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
52 Downloads (Pure)

How Agricultural Waste Fibres Are Transforming Sustainable Construction
Ali, M.
14/11/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
Waste Plant Fibers Could Reduce Construction Costs and Improve Sustainability
Ali, M.
26/09/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research cited

Cite this

Cottrell, J. A., Ali, M., Tatari, A., Martinson, B., & Lupton, C. (2024). Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites. In C. Beckett, A. Bras, A. Fabbri, E. Keita, C. Perlot, & A. Perrot (Eds.), Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024 (pp. 495–503). (RILEM Bookseries; Vol. 52). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

Cottrell, Jack Andrew ; Ali, Muhammad ; Tatari, Alireza et al. / Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites. Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024. editor / Christopher Beckett ; Ana Bras ; Antonin Fabbri ; Emmanuel Keita ; Céline Perlot ; Arnaud Perrot. Springer Nature, 2024. pp. 495–503 (RILEM Bookseries).

@inproceedings{f7ea4e2d45954234b6910b6a933ef07d,

title = "Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites",

abstract = "The use of natural fibres has proven successful in improving the mechanical properties of earthen construction. It is a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to using chemical stabilisers, such as Portland Cement. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the influence of jute fibre reinforcement on the compressive and tensile splitting strength of Jute Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites (JRCECs). The investigation considered three fibre lengths (10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) and three fibre dosages (0.125\%, 0.25\% and 0.50\%) by weight. When compared to an unreinforced control mix, it was found that the incorporation of jute fibre increased the mechanical properties of the JRCEC, with the optimum mix providing an increase in compressive and tensile splitting strength of 100\% and 85\% respectively. Within the investigation, Computed Tomography (CT) scans were performed on the JRCEC samples to evaluate the influence of mixing methodology on the fibre distribution and orientation. Findings from this study showed that jute fibre reinforcement may be used to increase the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites, and highlights the importance of mixing methodology during the manufacturing process.",

keywords = "Jute Fibre Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites, Compressive Strength, Tensile Splitting Strength, Fibre Distribution and Orientation",

author = "Cottrell, \{Jack Andrew\} and Muhammad Ali and Alireza Tatari and Brett Martinson and Colin Lupton",

year = "2024",

month = jun,

day = "27",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6\_51",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783031626890",

series = "RILEM Bookseries",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

pages = "495–503",

editor = "Christopher Beckett and Ana Bras and Antonin Fabbri and Keita, \{Emmanuel \} and Perlot, \{C{\'e}line \} and Perrot, \{Arnaud \}",

booktitle = "Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction",

address = "United Kingdom",

note = "Second International RILEM Conference on Earthen Construction : ICEC 2024 ; Conference date: 08-07-2024 Through 10-07-2024",

}

Cottrell, JA, Ali, M , Tatari, A , Martinson, B & Lupton, C 2024, Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites. in C Beckett, A Bras, A Fabbri, E Keita, C Perlot & A Perrot (eds), Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024. RILEM Bookseries, vol. 52, Springer Nature, pp. 495–503, Second International RILEM Conference on Earthen Construction, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 8/07/24. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites. / Cottrell, Jack Andrew; Ali, Muhammad ; Tatari, Alireza et al.
Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024. ed. / Christopher Beckett; Ana Bras; Antonin Fabbri; Emmanuel Keita; Céline Perlot; Arnaud Perrot. Springer Nature, 2024. p. 495–503 (RILEM Bookseries; Vol. 52).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites

AU - Cottrell, Jack Andrew

AU - Ali, Muhammad

AU - Tatari, Alireza

AU - Martinson, Brett

AU - Lupton, Colin

PY - 2024/6/27

Y1 - 2024/6/27

N2 - The use of natural fibres has proven successful in improving the mechanical properties of earthen construction. It is a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to using chemical stabilisers, such as Portland Cement. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the influence of jute fibre reinforcement on the compressive and tensile splitting strength of Jute Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites (JRCECs). The investigation considered three fibre lengths (10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) and three fibre dosages (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50%) by weight. When compared to an unreinforced control mix, it was found that the incorporation of jute fibre increased the mechanical properties of the JRCEC, with the optimum mix providing an increase in compressive and tensile splitting strength of 100% and 85% respectively. Within the investigation, Computed Tomography (CT) scans were performed on the JRCEC samples to evaluate the influence of mixing methodology on the fibre distribution and orientation. Findings from this study showed that jute fibre reinforcement may be used to increase the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites, and highlights the importance of mixing methodology during the manufacturing process.

AB - The use of natural fibres has proven successful in improving the mechanical properties of earthen construction. It is a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to using chemical stabilisers, such as Portland Cement. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the influence of jute fibre reinforcement on the compressive and tensile splitting strength of Jute Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites (JRCECs). The investigation considered three fibre lengths (10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) and three fibre dosages (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50%) by weight. When compared to an unreinforced control mix, it was found that the incorporation of jute fibre increased the mechanical properties of the JRCEC, with the optimum mix providing an increase in compressive and tensile splitting strength of 100% and 85% respectively. Within the investigation, Computed Tomography (CT) scans were performed on the JRCEC samples to evaluate the influence of mixing methodology on the fibre distribution and orientation. Findings from this study showed that jute fibre reinforcement may be used to increase the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites, and highlights the importance of mixing methodology during the manufacturing process.

KW - Jute Fibre Reinforced Compressed Earth Composites

KW - Compressive Strength

KW - Tensile Splitting Strength

KW - Fibre Distribution and Orientation

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9783031626890

SN - 9783031626920

T3 - RILEM Bookseries

SP - 495

EP - 503

BT - Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction

A2 - Beckett, Christopher

A2 - Bras, Ana

A2 - Fabbri, Antonin

A2 - Keita, Emmanuel

A2 - Perlot, Céline

A2 - Perrot, Arnaud

PB - Springer Nature

T2 - Second International RILEM Conference on Earthen Construction

Y2 - 8 July 2024 through 10 July 2024

ER -

Cottrell JA, Ali M , Tatari A , Martinson B, Lupton C. Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites. In Beckett C, Bras A, Fabbri A, Keita E, Perlot C, Perrot A, editors, Second RILEM International Conference on Earthen Construction: ICEC 2024. Springer Nature. 2024. p. 495–503. (RILEM Bookseries). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-62690-6_51

Exploring the impact of jute fibre reinforcement on the mechanical properties of compressed earth composites

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

A study into aspect ratio and the influence of platen restraint on the compressive strength of jute fibre-reinforced compressed earth composites

Influence of jute fibre and cement on the mechanical properties of raw earth mortar

Press/Media

How Agricultural Waste Fibres Are Transforming Sustainable Construction

Waste Plant Fibers Could Reduce Construction Costs and Improve Sustainability

Cite this