Application of Mangrove Timber in Reinforcing Concrete

Mangrove timber, classified as strength class D70 hardwood, demonstrates significant potential for reinforcing concrete beams, though its structural performance is approximately 50% that of steel. Laboratory tests revealed that mangrove-reinforced beams with enlarged ends outperformed those with uniform rods, suggesting optimized design could enhance their load-bearing capacity. This finding supports the continued use of mangrove timber in historic buildings like Zanzibar Stone Town, despite limited existing structural data. The study involved sampling and testing mangrove specimens for tension, compression, and shear strengths, followed by comparative tests between mangrove- and steel-reinforced concrete beams.

Makunza, J. (2023). Application of Mangrove Timber in Reinforcing Concrete. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, 42(3), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v42i3.742