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.
