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Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
A. Introduction
In most of the developing countries around the world, the rise of households, buildings and
other infrastructures is one of the top concerns. Technology has played a big part in diminishing the
concerns but it has also brought a great threat amongst the environment and the people. With this
current day situation, there is an urgent need to focus attention on low-cost alternative construction
materials.
Growing economy has something to do with growing population and vice versa. This implies
that there is an increase in demand for human needs and among them are the houses, buildings and
even railroads. In relation with the statement above, and introducing the readers to this study, the
researchers have come up with the idea of how to attain the said needs in a manner of lowering the
cost but still striving to get the same strength or even more so, even with the use of alternative
materials, thus, the admixture.
Concrete is a major construction material which is usually made by mixing cement, water,
fine and coarse aggregates and sometimes admixtures in their right proportions. Communities
around the world rely on concrete as a safe, durable and simple building material. Concrete
technology, which is a major branch of civil engineering, is becoming the backbone of
infrastructural development of every country. The lack of raw materials, the cost, and the marred
and limited resources due to many aspects are named as the few flaws in concrete making. With this
being stated, the researchers find a way to improve the process of making the concrete with even
lesser budget through coconut husk fiber as admixture.
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Coconut husk fiber, which is an agricultural waste, is obtained from the fibrous husk of the coconut,
from the coconut palm which belongs to the palm family. Large quantities of this waste, if not
properly disposed, can lead to social and environmental problems. There is need to channel this
waste product to a more profitable venture like using it as admixture in making a concrete. The
utilization of coconut husk fiber as an admixture can partially help in solving environmental and
ecological problems. Use of these also helps in reducing the cost of concrete production by
reducing the quantity of cement used.
Admixtures being considered for use in concrete should meet applicable specifications. Trial
mixtures should be made with the admixtures and the job materials at temperatures and humidity
anticipated on the job. In this way the compatibility of the admixture with other admixtures and job
materials, as well as the effects of the admixture on the properties of the fresh and hardened
concrete, can be observed. The amount of admixture recommended by the manufacturer or the
optimum amount determined by laboratory tests should be used.
Consequently, this study presents the suitability of using coconut husk fiber as supplementary
concrete material. This work investigates the effect of coconut husk fiber on the workability of
fresh concrete and the compressive strength of hardened concrete.
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structures already there. But again, more problems arise when raw materials for making concrete
started to become scarce due to climate change. The question then became How can we create
concrete structure using only the materials available without compromising the quality of the
structure and making it better instead?
And so the researchers find a way to use an available economic friendly raw material in
making concrete, coconut husk fiber. And comes with that are these questions they will try to seek
the answers through this case study:
1. What physical properties of concrete will be changed if its design mix is cement, water and
coconut husk fibre?
2. What is the right ratio of the coconut husk fiber and the other materials for concrete making so
that we can come up with the best results?
3. What are the estimated costs of using the coconut husk fiber as an admixture?
By this, the researchers hope to be a step in the further study and development of concrete
as a building construction material.
D. Objectives
Having made this study, the researchers intend to help solve some problems the world is
encountering today particularly in the field of civil engineering. And the purpose of this study
includes the following:
2. To find a way to get the right mixture of the coconut husk fiber with the other materials
used to make concrete
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This study will cover both physical properties of concrete and coconut husk fiber. As
it is the main purpose, this study will focus mainly on the effect of coconut husk fiber to
the concrete when used as an admixture, and hot it affects the concretes durability and
resistance to cracks.
Other specific topics include the process in making the concrete i.e. the making of
molder and the ratios used in mixing cement, water and the admixture, water curing and the
final testing. Since the water curing is compromised to only 14 days, the outcome
compressive strength will only be based on the given days.
References will come mainly from the web, from books, and other researches from
previous students who have taken the same material for use on reinforced concrete design.
The study will not exceed in discussing on the materials other uses, its economic
value, and methods of chemical extraction. This study will not evaluate flexural and split
tensile strength of the concrete. It will also not evaluate the cost and estimate of the output.
F. Definition of Terms
COIR - a stiff coarse fiber that has been obtained from the outer husk of the coconut.
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CORROSION - it is the disintegration of an engineered material into its constituent atoms due to
chemical reactions with its surroundings. In the most common use of the word, this means
electrochemical oxidation of metals in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen.
COARSE AGGREGATES - is the material combined with cement and water to make concrete is
called coarse aggregate. Coarse Aggregate makes up 60 to 80 percent of concrete volume.
COMPRESSION STRENGTH - a compression test which determines the behavior of the materials
under rushing loads.
CELLULOSE FIBERS - it is the structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants,
many forms of algae and the oomycetes.
CEMENT - a building material made by grinding calcined limestone and clay to a fine powder,
which can be mixed with water and poured to set as a solid mass or used as an ingredient in making
mortar or concrete.
DENSITY - it is the mass per unit volume of a substance under specified conditions of pressure and
temperature. The symbol of density is .
FINE AGGREGATES - it is defined as material that will pass a No. 4 sieve and will, for the most
part, be retained on a No. 200 sieve.
HYDRATION - it is the formation of a solution involves the interaction of solute with solvent
molecules.
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MODULUS OF ELASTICITY - it is the ratio of the increment of some specified form of stress to
the increment of some specified form of strain.
NATURAL FIBERS - a fiber obtained from a plant, animal, or mineral. The commercially
important natural fibers are those cellulosic fibers obtained from the seed hairs, stems, and leaves
of plants.
SAND - a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral
particles.
SLUMP TEST - a test or a laboratory test used to determine and measure how hard and consistent a
given sample of concrete is before curing.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY - it is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of a substance to the weight
of an equal volume of some reference substance, or, equivalently, the ratio of the masses of equal
volumes of the two substances.
WATER ABSORPTION - the amount of water absorbed by a composite material when immersed in
water for a stipulated period of time.
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Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Research 2:
Baruah and Talukdar (2007) investigated the static properties of plain concrete (PC) and fiber
reinforced concrete (FRC) with different fiber volume fractions ranging from 0.5% to 2%. Fibers
used were steel, artificial and natural fibers (jute and coir fibers only). Here, discussion is limited
only to PC and the coir fibers reinforced concrete (CFRC).
The mix design (cement: sand: aggregates) for plain concrete was 1: 1.67: 3.64 with water
cement ratio of 0.535. Per cubic meter of concrete mix was cement = 350 kg, fine aggregates =
568.40 kg, coarse aggregate = 1239.40 kg and water = 182 kg. The maximum size of aggregates
was 20mm. Coir fibers having length of 4cm and diameter of 0.4mm with volume fraction of 0.5, 1,
1.5 and 2% were added to prepare CFRC.
The sizes of specimens were (1) 150 mm diameter and 300mm height for cylinders (2) 150
mm width, 150 mm depth and 700 mm length for beams, and (3) 150mm cubes having a cut of 90
mm X 60 mm in cross-section and 150 mm high for L-shaped shear test specimens. All specimens
were cured for 28 days. The investigated properties, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength
(STS), modulus of rupture (MOR) using four point load test and shear strength, are shown in Table
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2.1 for PC and CFRC. It can be noted that CFRC with 2 % fibers showed better results amongst all
volume fractions.
The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture and shear strength of
coir fiber reinforced concrete with 2% fibers by volume fraction were increased up to 13.7, 22.9,
28.0 and 32.7 %, respectively as compared to those of plain concrete. It is also noted from their
research that all these properties were also improved for CFRC with all other tested volume
fractions of fibers (0.5, 1 and 1.5 %). These properties were increased up to only 1.3, 4.9, 4.0 and
4.7 %, respectively for CFRC with 0.5% fibres by volume fraction.
Table 1: Properties of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Concrete (CFRC)
[Baruah and Talukdar (2007)]
Research 3:
After an experiment conducted by Gunasekaran and Kumar in 2008 they found that there is
24% high water absorption by concrete reinforced with coconut fiber compare to plain concrete .
They found that compressive strength of concrete increases with 19.1% than plain concrete after
curing cube for 28 days.
Research 4:
Research carrier out by Adevemi (1998) for one mix ratio (1:2:4) using suitable coconut fiber
for either fine or coarse aggregate in concrete production. They conclude that the weight of that
concrete is light with compare to plain concrete.
B. Local Literature and Studies
From Zamboanga:
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Coconut Fiber-Cement Board (CFB) is a panel manufactured from the mixture of fibrous
materials like coconut coir or shredded woody portion of coconut tree and Portland cement at a
ratio of 60-70% cement to 30 -40% fiber by weight.
Research studies conducted at Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research
Center have shown that the mixture of cement-coconut fiber have good strength
properties and high dimensional stability when soaked in water (water absorption of 32%
and thickness swelling of 4.2%) surpassing the minimum requirements set by PHILSA-
Standard 105-1975. It has low thermal conductivity (k-value 0f 0.90 W/mk) which
indicates its excellent insulation properties, thus it can be used as roofing materials even
without ceiling. Flame test showed that, while the board can be burned, it is rather slow
with minimal smoke emission.
From Cubao, Quezon City:
March of 2010, the civil engineering students of Technological Institute of the Philippines
namely Kathleen Rapatalo, John Orit, Jeffrey Manzano, and Aivy De Vera, conducted a thesis
entitled, Study of Natural Fibers as an Admixture for Concrete Mix Design. One of their
admixtures is the coconut coir or the coconut husk fiber.
The students who conducted the said thesis had their first trial with 0.25% and 0.75% fiber-
cement ratio and second trial with 0.10% and 0.15% fiber-cement ratio. The design compressive
load for the used mix design is 20.7 Mpa. The results were taken:
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20
15
10 0.75%
0.25%
5
0
CONTROL SUGARCANE COCONUT ABACA PINEAPPLE
FIBER CONTENT
25
20
15
0.15%
10 0.10%
0
CONTROL SUGARCANE COCONUT ABACA PINEAPPLE
FIBER CONTENT
The coconut husk fiber passed the 20.7 Mpa design compressive load on both trials.
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Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
The researcher used the experimental research method to different variables affecting the
In the course of seeking sources of the needed materials, the researcher went to Blumentritt,
Espaa, Manila to purchase the cement and sand, and looked for some used coconut husk at the wet
market. The researcher bided their time for the coconut husk fibers content, leaving only the fiber
After the researchers obtained the needed materials, the coconut husk fibers were set aside.
After 24 hours, the coconut husk fibers were cut into smaller pieces and grated to become
pulverized.
Procedure
Cement and sand were filtered and then mixed. After mixing, the coarse form of cement and
sand were separated to get the powdered form. Then, grated coconut husk fibers and water were
added into the mixture until it became sticky. After the process of mixing, the mixture was then
prepared for the making of cube blocks (2x2x2). Slowly, the mixture was put in the customized
block molder until it scoped the whole molder. Then the blocks were exposed to sunlight for three
After being exposed to sunlight, the blocks were ready for its curing. They were submerged
to water until it covers the whole blocks. It stays on the water for fourteen days before its testing for
compressive strength.
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+ Mixing the Cement and Adding the Coconut Putting the mixture to
sand Husk Fiber and Water its molder
(mix)
Add-mixtures Percentage
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3
Instrument Used:
Wire mesh strainer for separating the coarse potion of cement and sand
Weighing scale measure the weight of materials (coconut husk fibers, sand, cement)
The researchers bounded their time for the experiment. The materials needed were collected
for four days. Experiment was conducted for two days. Curing lasted for fourteen days. After the
experiment, the researcher discussed the results between the ratios of the variables.
Chapter 4
DATA AND COMPUTATION
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This chapter presents the data gathered, the analysis and interpretation of findings. The results
are discussed and analyzed in the order in which the specific problems are presented.
1 9.3772
2 4.137
4 25 6.52727
3 6.0676
1 3.7233
2 4.137
5 30 3.9991
3 4.137
Table 2 Data gathered from the experiment consisting of four trials per sample.
B. Computations
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s=
(2.102.04667)2+(2.582.04667)2+(1.462.04667)2
2
0.56190 MPa
s=
(0.480.83333)2+(0,820.83333)2 +(1.20.83333)2
2
0.36019 MPa
2 2
(0.480.42333)2+ ( 0.370.42333 ) + ( 0.420.42333 )
s=
2
0. 05508 MPa
2
(0.680.47333)2+(0.300.47333)2+ ( 0.440.47333 )
s=
2
0.19218 MPa
e. 30% of Coconut Husk Fiber (21g)
2
(0 .270.29)2+(0.300.29)2+ ( 0.300.29 )
s=
2
0.01732 MPa
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30.000
28.224
25.000
COMPRESIVE STRENGTH
20.000
15.000
11.492
10.000
5.814 6.527
5.000
3.999
0.000
6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000
COCONUT HUSK FIBRE
Exponential Equation
r=0.93 054
^y =51.953 e0.128 x
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30.000
28.224
25.000
COMPRESIVE STRENGTH
20.000
15.000
11.492
10.000
5.814 6.527
5.000
3.999
0.000
6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000
COCONUT HUSK FIBRE
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30.000
28.224
25.000
COMPREIVE STRENGTH
20.000
15.000
11.492
10.000
5.814 6.527
5.000
3.999
0.000
6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000
COCONUT HUSK FIBRE
Hyperbolic Equation
r=0.9 7770
7.06401 x
^y =
210.9 0 614 x
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30.000
28.224
COMPRESIVE STRENGTH 25.000
20.000
15.000
11.492
10.000
5.814 6.527
5.000
3.999
0.000
6.000 8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000
COCONUT HUSK FIBRE
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Chapter V
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations that the
researchers acquired after conducting the study.
A. Findings
The following observations present some of the characteristics of the concrete block samples
containing coconut husk fiber during mixing and when subjected to compressive test:
1. The researchers observed that as the fiber content increases, the faster the fresh concrete
mixture become stiffen. Its consistency lowers because the fiber absorbed the water from the
mixture. When coconut husk fibers were added in the fresh concrete mixture, from 10% to
30% fiber-cement ratio, the presence of the fiber does not greatly affect the consistency of the
fresh concrete mixture.
2. Blocks with higher content of fiber reduce the compressive strength of the concrete due to the
congestion of fibers. The congestion of the fiber may to reduce bonding and disintegration
since packing is more difficult.
When the smallest content of fiber, which is 10%, was subjected to compression test,
small initial cracks formed on the surface of the blocks. Cracks progress abruptly and
magnified at the center of the block followed by shattering then failure. Failure condition is
quite sudden as the compressive load was attained. And when the concrete blocks which
contain higher percentage of coconut husk fibers were subjected to compression test at
failure loads, test blocks were still intact even when failure load was attained. Smaller
cracks progressed especially with higher amount of fibers, from the top to the center of the
block. This says that the fiber contribution is stopping or delaying the propagation of
cracks. This shows that the brittle failure of concrete containing small amount of coconut
husk fibers was transformed to semi-ductile failure as the amount of fibers increase
B. Conclusions
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From the previous chapter, it can be shown that the compressive strength of concrete mixture
containing coconut husk fibers is significantly affected by the following factors: physical and
chemical composition of fibers, percentage of fibers. Based on the results of the experiment, the
following conclusions are drawn:
1. The researchers concluded that the concrete mixture which contains 10% fiber-cement ratio
has the highest consistency compared to higher fiber-cement ratio. It only means that the
workability decreases with the increase of fiber content. This is due to the water absorption
characteristics of the coconut husk fibers which absorbed water during mixing. Also, the
increase in fiber content will increase the volume of water being absorbed by the fibers. Thus,
the increase in fiber content and the increase of water being absorbed will delay the setting
time period of the concrete compared to the concrete with lesser amount of fiber.
2. The researchers concluded that adding natural fibers to the concrete mixture increases the
compressive strength. Even though adding natural fiber contributes to the increase in
strength, the strength does not increase linearly as the fiber content increases. In other words,
the increase in strength is only up to certain fiber content of 10%.
3. The researchers concluded that the presence of coconut husk fibers in concrete prevents or
delays cracking and transform the brittle failure into gradual and ductile failure. But the
increase in fiber content increases the volume of voids present in the composite.
C. Recommendations
The study has its own limitation and therefore, the following recommendations are made for
future studies to improve the current work:
1. To use 10% fiber-cement ratio to maintain the consistency and workability of the fresh
concrete mixture.
2. To utilize coconut husk fibers in concrete mix in order to prevent and delay the spread of
cracks in future construction projects.
3. To experiment more in order to validate the adequacy of 10% fiber-cement ratio as an
admixture for concrete mix. Try to evaluate the fiber-cement ratio of 11% to 15%.
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Bibliography
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Appendices
OTHER TABLES AND COMPUTATIONS
X Y X2 Y2 xy
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x= 14 y=56.048
n xy x y
B= A= yB x
n x 2( x)2
( 3 )( 597.828 ) (70)(56.055)
56.048(.0769 ) (14)
( 5 ) (1102.500 )(70)2
B = 1.5261 A =32.576
2
2( y )
n y
[ n x ( x )2 ]
2
n xy x y
r=
56.0550
( 5 ) ( 597.828 )(70)
r=0.85247
^y = A+ Bx
^y =1.5261 x +32.576
Exponential Equation
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x= 14 lny= 2.1608
n xlny x lny
B= A=3.2828
n x 2( x)2
( 5 )( 135.599 ) (70)(10.804)
( 5 ) ( 1102.500 )(70)2
0.128
B 1=0.128
A=lnyB x
2.1608(0128 ) (14)
A=3.9528
3.9528
A 1=e
A 1=51.953
n xlny x lny
r=
[ n x ( x ) ] [n ln
2 2 2
y ( lny )2 ]
( 5 ) (135.599 )(70)(10.804)
[ ( 5 ) ( 1102.500 )( 70 ) ] [ ( 5 ) (25.657)( 116.72641 ) ]
2 2
r=0.93054 0.7571
B1 x
^y = A1 e
^y = 51.953 e0.128 x
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r=0.96737
^y = A1 x B 1
^y =675.57 x1.695
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Hyperbolic Equation
1 1
A= B B=12.1829
y x
( 5 )( 0.046 )(0.414)(0,698)
0.1 369(2.061 ) (0.0 8 28)
(5 )( 0.040 )( 0.414)2
B=2.061 A=0.3076
1
B 1=B A 1 A 1=
A
1
2.061(7.06401)
0.3076
B 1=210.9061 A 1=7.06401
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1 1 1
n
xy x y
r=
[ ( ) ][ ( )]
2 2
1 1 1 1
n 2
n 2
x x y y
B 1=85.2547
( 5 ) ( 0.046 )(0.414)(0,698)
r=
[ ( 5 ) ( 0.040 )(0.414) ] [ ( 5 ) ( 0.124 )(0.69 8) ]
2 2
r=0.97770
A1 x
^y =
B 1+ x
7.06401 x
^y =
210.90614 x
14