Student Research Projects and Bachelor Theses
Description: Addition of monofilament fibres in concrete has been widely applied as the fibres can control the crack opening and propagation of concrete due to fibre "bridge effect". Coir fibre, as a by-product from coconut industry, has its environmental and economical benefits in comparison to other conventional man-made fibres such as steel fibre or prolypropyline fibre. Moreover, coir fibre was reported to have comparable tensile properties (e.g. tensile elongation) to those fibres as well. Therefore, coir fibre has its potential and benefit to replace the man-made fibres as monofilament fibre in concrete. In order to investigate whether coir fibre is suitable for such application, the basic properties of coir fibre should be firstly identified.
For "Studienarbeit", the physical properties and the microscale morphology of coir fibre will be investigated. For Bachelor thesis, tensile properties of coir fibre will be additionally included.
The tasks include:
For "Studienarbeit":
* Diameter measurement of coir fibre by optical microscope
* Coir fibre density by pycnometer and linear density identification
* Coir fibre water absorption
* Coir fibre elongation by soaking in water and shrinkage by drying process
* Longitudinal and cross section morphology of coir fibre using optical microscope and scanning electronic microscope (SEM)
Additional for Bachelor thesis:
* Tensile test for coir fibre
Expected:
Knowledge of material science and civil engineering; English language - communication skills; Self-motivation
The final thesis report can be written in English or in German. Because the mentor mainly speaks English, it is most useful for the student, to speak at least some English.
Contact: Bo Wang, M.Sc., Email: b.wang(at)tu-braunschweig.de