TITLE:
Thermomechanical Characterization of Concrete Reinforced with Typha for Use in Construction
AUTHORS:
Brahim Tchou, Soultan Malloum, Abakar Ali, Abdallah Dadi, Salif Gaye
KEYWORDS:
Typha australis, Cement, Chari River Sand, Mechanical Characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.16 No.12,
December
16,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study examines the use of sand from the Chari River in N’Djamena as a partial addition to Portland cement, aiming to improve the characteristics of Typha australis-based concrete. Concrete samples with Typha australis fibers were tested, revealing that fine sand contributes through physico-mechanical effects. The use of Typha australis aims to reduce construction costs and energy consumption. Three cement contents (6%, 8%, and 10%) and six Typha fiber contents (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) were tested, with curing times of 7, 14, and 28 days. Typha is used for insulation and non-load-bearing building blocks, providing good thermal insulation. Increasing cement content improves compressive strength, while low content causes sintering. The results show an improvement in compressive strength at 10% cement, of 1.98 MPa on the 7th day and of 2.75 MPa on the 14th day, with the addition of 0.5% Typha. The compressive stresses are 4.21 MPa and 2.03 MPa for Typha contents ranging from 0.5% to 1% on the 28th day.