Abstract:
Cost of timber and increasing pressure on the already dwindling forest cover due to over
exploitation of timber, continuously encourage us to look for environmentally friendly
alternatives for timber. Coconut Coir Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CocoCoirFRP) is a viable
alternative for timber. Coconut Coir is abandoned available naturally occurring fiber which
can be transformed into Fiber Reinforced Polymers products. This research explores the
viability of CocoCoirFRP, to develop into Hollow sections to replace common timber sections
in the market. There are distinct advantages of the use. of coir FRP Hollow sections. Ability to
optimize the use of materials based on the structural demand and the fact that exploitation of
fibers has no environmental impact are major advantages of the use of CocoCoriFRP. From
the research work it is found that Coconut Coir Fiber can be developed to achieve strength
properties of timber classes C35 to D40 of BS 5268: part 2:2002. Durability of Coir FRP is
also expected to be better due to polymer protecting the fibers. This paper presents the
development and structural behavior of two Hollow sections that are customize to use in the
place of commonly used timber sections in roof structures.