In the heart of Colombia, researchers are weaving together tradition and innovation to create a more sustainable future for the construction industry. Valeria Laverde Sarmiento, a dedicated researcher from the Grupo de Investigación en Desarrollo y Tecnología de Nuevos Materiales (GIMAT) at the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) in Bucaramanga, is at the forefront of this green revolution. Her latest study, published in the Journal of Natural Fibers, explores the potential of fique textiles as an eco-friendly reinforcement for concrete, a material ubiquitous in the energy sector’s infrastructure.
Fique, a plant native to the Andean region, has long been used for its strong fibers. However, its application in modern construction has been limited. Sarmiento’s research aims to change that by chemically and mechanically characterizing fique textiles and demonstrating their potential as an external reinforcement for concrete.
The study focuses on woven fique textiles with varying configurations and surface treatments. Through a combination of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and tensile tests, Sarmiento and her team analyzed the effects of alkalinization and hornification on the textiles’ properties. “We found that these treatments significantly altered the textiles’ cross-sectional area, tensile strength, and stiffness,” Sarmiento explains. This is due to the removal of lignin and hemicellulose in alkalinization or enhanced hydrogen bonding in hornification.
But the real test was how these treated textiles would perform as reinforcement for concrete. The researchers conducted compressive tests on concrete cylinders, both confined and unconfined, to assess the effect of the textiles on the maximum compressive strength and failure mode. The results were promising: a single layer of treated woven fique textiles increased the compressive strength of concrete cylinders by up to 19%.
This research opens up exciting possibilities for the energy sector, where concrete is a staple in infrastructure projects. The use of fique textiles as reinforcement could lead to more sustainable construction practices, reducing the environmental impact of these projects. Moreover, the enhanced strength and stiffness of the treated textiles could improve the durability and longevity of these structures.
Sarmiento’s work is a testament to the potential of natural fibers in modern construction. As she puts it, “This study is just the beginning. We hope that our findings will inspire further research and development in this area, leading to more sustainable and innovative construction solutions.”
The implications of this research are far-reaching. As the demand for eco-friendly construction materials grows, so too will the need for innovative solutions like fique textiles. This study provides a solid foundation for future developments in this field, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the construction and energy sectors. The Journal of Natural Fibers, translated to English, is the Journal of Natural Fibers.