Natural fibres as construction materials*
Majid Ali
Structure Design Section, National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), Islamabad Office, Pakistan.
E-mail: majidonefive@gmail.com.
Accepted 20 February, 2012
This paper reviews the properties of different natural fibres. These natural fibres were investigated by
different researchers as a construction material to be used in composites (such as cement paste,
mortar and/or concrete). The different researches carried out and the conclusions drawn are briefly
presented. The aim of this review is to compile the available data of different natural fibres evaluated in
last few decades, and thus, it can be used as a reference/guideline for the upcoming research of a
particular fibre. Natural fibres are used to increase the strength properties of the composites. But all
properties cannot be improved at the same time because fibres have their own characteristics. So it is
recommended that appropriate fibre should be used for a particular purpose. Also, there should be
guideline/criteria for acceptance of natural fibres, because of variable properties of a particular fibre in
different regions. No doubt, natural fibres can be used in a variety of manners, but still, there is a need
of research for investigating the further properties of fibres.