Structural performance of short mangrove reinforced concrete columns

Abstract

This study investigates the structural behavior of concrete columns reinforced with mangrove poles. Eight small-scale short square columns having the same cross sections of 87 mm x 87 mm and 350 mm in height were variably reinforced with mangrove poles and tested under concentric loading to investigate strength capacity, deflection and failure patterns. A total of eight columns (a)four columns reinforced with four mangrove poles (b) three columns reinforced with single central mangrove pole and (c) a plain column (without any reinforcement) reinforced were tested. The results showed that the load carrying capacity of the column increased with decrease in percentage of mangrove reinforcement for columns reinforced with four mangrove poles. Mangrove poles enhanced the ductility of columns compared to the plain concrete column. However, all columns failed in a similar pattern due to crushing of concrete. It was further noted that the mangrove poles showed no sign of slippage and remain unaffected even after concrete failure.