Mechanical Performance of Concrete Reinforced with Hybrid Natural Plant Fibers

The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has motivated the use of natural plant fibers as alternative reinforcement in concrete. This study examines the mechanical performance of concrete reinforced with hybrid fibers derived from Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant) and Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree). Concrete specimens with fiber contents of 0%, 0.25%, 0.375%, and 0.5% by volume were prepared and cured for 14 days under controlled conditions. Compressive and flexural strengths were measured using standard tests, and the data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA. The addition of hybrid fibers significantly affected compressive strength (F = 23.56, p = 0.00025), which decreased as fiber content increased; the control (0%) achieved 18.41 MPa, while 0.5% fiber content yielded 7.39 MPa and the highest variability (CV ≈ 38.97%). Flexural strength differences among groups were not statistically significant (F = 0.44, p = 0.73), indicating no notable improvement in bending performance at 14 days. The results suggest that, although the fibers may offer crack-bridging potential, their inclusion at the tested proportions does not enhance early-age compressive strength and may reduce mechanical consistency at higher dosages. Further work is recommended to optimize fiber treatment, dosage, and curing duration to achieve better performance.