Experimental study on the use of human hair as fiber to enhance the performance of concrete: A novel use to reduce the disposal challenges

A large number of researches and studies have been carried out since ancient times to enhance the performance of concrete to make concrete environment friendly. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is one of those advances which offers a convenient, practical, and cost-effective method to overcome micro-cracks and similar deficiencies. In this research, the authors attempted to use naturally available chopped human hair (HH) as fibers in concrete to enhance the performance of concrete. Human hair is non-biodegradable material existence in nature. The study aims to find the optimum dosage of HH as a fiber in concrete in varying percentages like 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, & 3% by weight of cement in concrete. Authors investigated the effect of concrete properties like fresh, hardened, and durable properties using HH in varying percentages. This investigation's experimental outcomes indicate that using HH as a fiber enhances the better bonding between ingredients of concrete by exhibiting enhancement in properties of up to 2.5% dosage as fiber. Overall, the study reveals that 2–2.5% is the optimum use of HH as a fiber in concrete. The use of HH as a fiber enhances concrete performance and reduces the cost of concrete and disposal challenges.