State of the art on the use of bamboo fibers as reinforcement in concrete: structural and rheological behavior

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of incorporating bamboo fibers into the mechanical and rheological performance of concrete, analyzing the influence of their geometry, dosage, and surface treatments. In the fresh state, the addition of this type of fiber significantly reduces workability (slump) due to internal friction and high water absorption. However, in the hardened state, they transform the brittle failure of concrete into ductile behavior through the bridging effect. The findings determine that the use of optimal doses (1.0% to 1.5%) with moderate lengths (20 mm to 40 mm) maximizes flexural strength, tensile strength, and toughness. Although compressive strength tends to decrease due to increased porosity, alkaline treatments (such as magnesium or calcium hydroxide) mitigate this loss. Quantitatively, the review shows increases in tensile strength ranging from 17% to 101%, reaching flexural values of up to 14.4 MPa, while compressive strength remains mostly within a structurally viable range of 20 to 50 MPa. These treatments clean impurities, improve interfacial adhesion, and ensure high durability against moisture-dry cycles. Therefore, modified bamboo fiber is established as a sustainable and structurally viable reinforcement alternative.