Contribution of short coconut fiber to pavement skid resistance

The use of synthetic and natural fibers in composite materials has been proven to increase strength and reduce required amounts of basic building materials. Previous research has determined that fibers have a high tensile strength and the potential to increase the cohesive and tensile strengths of asphalt mixtures. Additionally, previous research suggests that skid resistance is influenced by changes in the asphalt penetration grade. Short decorticated and pulp coconut fibers were used as additives in this study. Short coconut fibers measuring 0.5-1.25 cm were mixed with pen 60/70 asphalt to yield fiber contents of 0%, 0.75% and 1.5%. The fibrous asphalt was mixed with asphalt-concrete-wearing-course-grade aggregate. The asphalt concrete mixture was molded and compacted with a wheel tracking compactor using an 8.16-ton standard vehicle axle load. Specimens were subsequently tested with a British pendulum tester at temperatures of 26 ^oC, 30 °C, 35 °C, 40 °C, 45 °C, and 50 °C. Skid resistance decreased with an increase in pavement surface temperature. The inclusion of 0.75% coconut fiber in the asphalt mixture improved skid resistance but did not improve resistance to increased road surface temperatures.