Recent advances in experimental studies of the mechanical behaviour of natural fibre-reinforced cementitious composites

This paper presents a review of recent research and development work involving natural fibre-reinforced concrete (NFRC). The recent developments in NFRC reinforced with different types of natural fibre, such as sisal fibre, bagasse fibre, coir fibre, banana fibre, eucalyptus fibre, flax fibre, jute fibre and pinus radiate fibre, are covered. Natural fibres and their modification methods are introduced first and the development history of natural fibre-reinforced concrete and the relevant research into the mechanical behaviour of NFRC in both the short- and long-term are reviewed. The applications of NFRC are also summarized.