A Review of Tensile Properties of Natural Fibres for Geotechnical Applications

Abstract

Natural fibres have recently gained attention as an alternative sustainable material for civil engineering applications due to natural fibres’ exceptional performance, including high strength, and their environmental-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. However, there are disadvantages to using natural fibres in extreme environments. Therefore, this paper reviewed the effect of moisture content and temperature on the tensile strength of potential natural fibres for engineering purposes. Furthermore, this paper also critically reviewed the influence of alkaline treatment on natural fibres’ tensile strength. This is significant because alkaline treatment enhances surface friction and the fraction of the revealed cellulose on the fibres’ surface, resulting in better mechanical interlocking. In conclusion, natural fibres demonstrate their potential for geotechnical applications due to the materials’ strong tensile properties after being subjected to treatment processes.