A THESIS PROPOSAL ON ENHANCING THE DURABILITY OF THE CONCRETE

HOLLOW BLOCK WITH ABACA FIBER AS AN AGGREGATE

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Abaca, also known as Manila hemp, is a strong fiber obtained from the leaf

cover of an abaca plant native in the Philippines. The physical properties of an abaca

have 1 1/2 of its density, about 2-4 meters of its fibre length, about 150-260 microns of

its fibre diameter, its tensile strength is about 980 N/m 2 , its elongation is about less than

2%, and its moisture regain content is about 10-11%. In addition, its chemical

composition are about less than 70% of cellulose, less than 20% of hemi cellulose, 12-

13% of lignin, 10-11% moisture of content, and less than 5% of ash content (Abaca

Fibers-TES, 2014). Abaca fibre is extracted from the leaf sheath traditionally by using

either manual or mechanical process.

Magdamo (2016) studied the flexural, splitting tensile strengths, and the ductility

of the abaca fibre - reinforced concrete composites. Also, he investigated how various

volume-fractions of the abaca fiber could affect the mechanical properties of the

concrete matrix. Another study by Manalo and Garcia (2012) investigated the resistance

of hollow blocks reinforce with abaca fibers against the crack formation.

The usage of natural fibres as an additional aggregate on the concrete mixture

to be more economically sufficient is widely spread. On the other hand, using hollow

blocks without a mixture of natural fibres such as abaca fibre are not that much used

because the hollow blocks used without natural fibre to make wall is supposed to be

enough. The innovations are made to enhance the hollow blocks to have a more
durable structure that can oppose and prevent a water absorption that could cause a

crack formation. However, due to the strength of nature, the hollow blocks used in

structures may not be enough to withstand calamities such as typhoons, flashflood, etc.

Therefore, using hollow blocks by having abaca fibers as an additional aggregate on the

concrete mixture can bring into a developed and innovated structures.

Thus, this study aims to enhance the durability of the concrete hollow blocks by

having abaca fibers as an additional aggregate. The process accomplished in the

production of the hollow blocks is the same as the standard process. The abaca fibers

will add to the mixture, then, by the use of manual pressing technique, the hollow blocks

with the abaca fibers will be produced.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to enhance the durability of the concrete hollow blocks by having

abaca fibers as an additional aggregate.

Specifically, the following questions will be answered:

1. What are the materials to be used in producing the concrete hollow blocks?
2. What properties do the abaca fibers have that help to improve the durability of

the concrete hollow blocks?

3. How will the abaca fibers mixed into the mixture?
4. What processes will be used in producing the concrete hollow blocks?
5. How will the durability of the said blocks be tested?

C. Objectives of the Study

 General Objective:

This study aims to enhance the durability of the concrete hollow blocks by having

abaca fibre as an additional aggregate.

Specific Objectives:

- To use powdered Portland cement, water, sand, and abaca fibers in

producing the concrete hollow blocks.

- To utilize the flexural and tensile strength of the abaca fiber which may be

apply to improve the compressive strength of the concrete hollow blocks by

having abaca fibers on it.

- To mix the abaca fiber to the mixture until it becomes a homogenous mixture.
- To use semi-automatic technique in producing the concrete hollow blocks.
- To use compressive strength test to examine the durability of the said blocks.

D. Significance of the Study

The primary significance of this study is to bring a progress to the construction

industry. The modernizing of the world and construction demands innovative materials.

The use of such materials like concrete can be innovated by adding an alternative

material such as abaca fibers. Abaca fibers are native in the Philippines and obviously

easy to find and produce. Being a type of fiber is good in producing modified blocks

because of its strength and characteristics. The only difference of using this Abaca fiber

than any other aggregate is that it can be easily found and is widely spread in the

country- making it the number one producer of such material. Aside from the cheap

price, it will be a great contribution to the field of engineering.

The production of the said concrete that uses natural fibers like Abaca fiber can

be a lot more practical. The indicated materials to be used are important because they
are materials that have sufficient attributes. Thus, it can produce more useful concrete

materials that can still possess the same properties of the concrete blocks that are

being used in the construction industry.

E. Scope and Limitation

The main objective of this study is to enhance the durability of the concrete by

having abaca fibers as an aggregate since this natural fiber is abundantly available. For

structural applications, Abaca fiber-reinforced concrete hollow blocks are more durable

than any other concrete that was just made by the mixture of sand and gravels with

water due to its chemical composition. The usage of Abaca fiber-reinforced concrete

reduces the crack formation, controls the crack widths, improves the structural strength

of the concrete, etc.

However, using Abaca fiber as an additional aggregate requires a long period of

time because one of its methods is extracting the fiber from the Leaf sheath of the

Banana. The production of the said fibre may be limited when fabricating Abaca fiber-

reinforced concrete.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature

A. Abaca Fiber
 Abaca fiber also called as Manila hemp that has tampering leaves. It is also

cheap and abundantly available. Among all of the natural fibers, abaca is the strongest

one. By the use of manual process, abaca fiber is extracted from the leaf cover of it.

The said fiber is exclusively available in the Philippines (Vijayalakshmi, Neeraja, Kavitha

and Hayavadana, 2014).

Also, Vijayalakshmi et al. (2014) said that abaca is a best fiber because of its

high tensile and flexural strength, buoyancy, high porosity, resistance to water damage,

and long fiber length up to 3 m. It is a fine, brilliant, light neutral in color, and very

durable. It is also used to make ropes, fishing lines, nets, twines, and coarse clothing.

The said fiber reacts on water. Also has a capacity to prevent absorption of water.

It has cohesive and adhesive components. To make it more durable, it must undergo

some chemical treatments (Xue & Tabil, 2007). On the other hand, this fiber also used

as raw material in different industry due to its very durable properties when it comes in

flexural strength and tensile strength (Bledzki et al., 2006, Huang, 2009 in Ramadevi et

al., 2012).

B. Ordinary Portland Cement

One ingredient that makes the concrete materials mixed is Portland cement. It is

a constituent that binds every material’s components. By chemical reactions with water,

it achieves it solid state at normal temperature. The said material is also one of the most

consumed materials in the world. Because of its durable components, and availability
that make it one of the versatile materials in the construction industry (Lovely & Chacko

2013). Similarly, Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is a material traditionally used in

producing concrete hollow blocks. OPC is the highest priced material. To make it more

durable, fine and coarse aggregates are mixed in right amount that the make the

concrete reduce some amount of cement for the desired quality (Glass & Ceramics

Division MSME Development Institute Government of India, 2011). According to

Bediako and Amankwah (2015), without it, the construction industry that utilizes large

amount of concrete would suffer to primary materials. On the other hand, concrete is

rated as the second most highly consumed product next to water. According to some

countries, it is very popular because it is one of the important needs of people. Any

shortage in cement will lead to serious economic failure.

C. Concrete Masonry Unit (Concrete Hollow Blocks)

Ancient time have their own concrete masonry unit. It was made by crushing and

burning gypsum or limestone. A mortar will be made when sand and water will be mixed

to the cement. Over hundreds of years, the materials was added some useful material

that will make the specimen more durable. Steel, natural fibers, etc. were the materials

that served as the aggregate to the masonry unit. Until now, some people in

construction industry bring some progress in producing masonry units. The masonry

unit in present times is made up of gravels, sand and water with additional coarse and

fine aggregates. And ultimately, chemical treatments were done in the said specimen to

set its properties more durable to withstand in such extreme calamities, or any weather

conditions.

D. Flexural Strength of the Abaca Fibers

 Flexural Strength (modulus rupture) or bend strength is a property of a material

that defined as the stress in a material just before deforms. The commonly used in

examining the flexural strength is the Flexural Strength Test. In this test, the specimen is

bent until it forms fracture. Raghunath (2003) evaluated that the flexural strength of a

abaca fibre was in a range the range of 0.05 MPa to 0.12 MPa and also stated that the

flexural bond strength of abaca fibre with 10 cm long was reported to be 0.088 MPa.

Sarangpani (1998) conducted a study about the strength of a masonry unit applying

different types of aggregate which assumed that the said ingredient will enhance its

strength. Using wrench test, he found the results about the flexural bond strength of a

concrete hollow block. By keeping supports, Kumar (2009) examine the flexural strength

of the normal concrete block specimens under a certain value of normal stress. The

normal stress applied was 0.125, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 N/mm 2 and under each stress condition

four concrete blocks were tested. Similarly to this, Vidyasagar (2009) also examine the

strength of the normal hollow blocks by the use of supports while Chandrasekhar

(2009), compared the flexural strength of concrete block with hinge support and without

hinge support under normal stress.

Fracture potency and modulus rupture were two helpful parameters in terms of

flexural strength of a specimen according to Elayesh (2012). It is determined by the

maximum load a specimen withstands. Zhang (2010) studied the flexural property of

cement with polypropylene fibre as an additional aggregate. It is said that flexural

properties of concrete specimen are very important to design engineers to select

appropriate raw materials. The fractures and deflection properties of the concrete unit

under flexure and minimum flexural reinforcement of concrete members depend on the
flexural strength of the concrete block. Legeron and Paultre (2000) studied the effect of

curing of concrete with fibre aggregate under few days can produce more durable

output. The results of their test showed a big difference between normal block and a

cured block. The difference varied from 35% to 100%. Similarly, the effects of chemical

treatments to the natural fibre were studied by Amudhavalli and Matthew (2012). A

research was performed by Gonen and Yazicioglu (2009) on the influence of chemical

treatments concrete with natural fibres. They concluded that the flexural tensile strength

decreases with increase of structural element size. Ahmed (2014) studied the relation

between the size of specimen and the flexural tensile strength of concrete.

E. Tensile Strength of the Abaca Fiber

Tensile strength is same as compressive strength, with the assumption that the

development of tensile strength coordinates well with the progress of compressive

strength (Sarker, 2013). In 28 days, Hidayat and Siuwantara (2014) tested the tensile

strength of abaca fiber using Universal Testing Machine. With loading-rate found on

dynamic direct tensile tests, splitting tests and spalling tests, the empirical tensile

strength of concrete- like materials notably increases. It can be generated by the

combination impact of the inertia effect, real rate effect and end friction effect. The

apparent dynamic tensile strength enhancement obtained from dynamic tensile

experiments of concrete-like materials is primarily associated with the real rate effect

and almost independent of others. The tensile strength enhancement of concrete-like

materials in laboratory tests are the real rate effect, predominant factor to cause

dynamic (Zhang, Lu, Chen, Teng & Yu, 2015). Furthermore, Zhang et al. (2015) added

that the laboratory tests cannot individually obtain the contribution of inertia effect to the
dynamic tensile strength enhancement of concrete-like materials. By defining rate

independent material properties, the tensile strength enhancement can be easily figured

in numerical simulations. Therefore, the numerical results can disclose the influence

degree of inertia effect while ignoring the real rate effect. Accordingly, the real rate

reaction on the dynamic tensile strength from laboratory tests for concrete like materials

can be determined.

The tensile strength of normal OPC concrete is mostly calculated by using the

simple relationships given in terms of the compressive strength. The concrete format

design codes and standards propose such simple equations. The unidirectional or

splitting tensile strengths are given in terms of the characteristic of compressive

strengths in these equations with different coefficients (Sarker, 2013). Via 4-point-

bending test according to standards by Voit and Kirnbauer (2014) concrete material with

the dimensions 40×40×160mm were tested and were able to resist high compressive

strength, but not good enough to endure tensile strength. The amount of density for

normal concrete which ranges between 2200-2400 kg/m3, will affect the total weight of

the building structure. The subsiding density of the concrete will reduce the weight of

the building (Hidayat & Siauwantara, 2014).

Tensile strength of the concrete can also be perceived with the help of “Double

Punch Test” which is an indirect tensile strength test method. It is found that the effects

of double punch test are quite similar to the results of split cylinder tensile strength test.

Results retrieved in Double Punch Test depicts that the tensile strength of the concrete

is regularly reduced with the increase of ceramic waste fine aggregate as partial

replacement of sand (Hasan, Alamgir & Mubin, 2014) Moreover, the tensile strength of
multi- scale polypropylene fiber concrete is higher than that of the ordinary concrete and

the strength ratio ranges from 1.09 to 1.27. With three types of fiber added, the strength

increased up to 27% (Liang, Dai and Liu, 2016) Higher values of split- tensile strength

were also obtained for a fiber length of 19–28mm and an incorporation percentage of 1–

1.5%. With different length of fiber, the optimum value for both strengths was attained

with an incorporation percentage of 1–1.5%. (Barbuta, Marin, Cimpeanu, Paraschiv,

Lepadatu & Bucur, 2015)

F. Compressive Strength of the Concrete Hollow Block

The compressive strength of a concrete is usually and traditionally measured by

some engineers. It is measured by compressing the specimen until it deform. Universal

testing machine is usually an instrument that used to determine the compressive

strength of the concrete unit. It is calculated from the recorded machine reading divided

by gross area. Mpa and psi is the most common unit of compressive strength. It must

be determined to meet the standard requirement for quality control and protection

afforded to the said specimen National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (2003).

Similarly to this, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (2014) defined

that compressive strength is the ability of a specimen to resist deformation when a

certain amount of load is applied to its physical property. They said that the importance

of determining of the compressive of a certain material is to define whether it can

withstand in a long period of time. According to Mostafa and Uddin (2015), natural fibers

can help to enhance the compressive strength of a concrete unit. They found that there

is a significant difference between normal block and modified block. It means that

modified block has a higher compressive strength compared to normal block.

G. Aggregation of Abaca Fiber in the Hollow Block

Abaca is a natural fiber with tapering which is cheap and abundantly available. It

is known to be the strongest of all natural fibers. It is also extracted from the leaf cover

by manual or mechanical extraction process. Abaca or Manila hemp can be reinforced

in some concrete materials. A fiber that has high tensile and folding strength buoyancy,

high porosity, its resistance to water damage and long fiber length of up to 5m

(Vijayalakshmi, Neeraja, Kavitha, & Hayavadana, 2014). According to them, it has been

approved that the said fiber may be the one of the main components in manufacturing

or producing concrete structures. Similarly to this topic, Mercedes Benz used a mixture

of chemical additives from plastic material and abaca yarn. Therefore, abaca fiber is

widely used not only in manufacturing clothes but also in producing concrete unit with

abaca fiber as an aggregate.

On the other hand, concrete is the most widely used raw material in the

construction industry. Steel is one of the important requirements to improve the

durability and strength of a concrete unit. But there is problem that Civil Engineers

facing regard to the steel reinforcement, which is corrosion. Improving of concrete

structures has undergone in many trials. Some researchers are finding some to promote

sustainable concrete masonry units that meet the tensile strength and ductility demands

of concrete structures. According to (Yang, 2014) natural fibers can be used to reinforce

to enhance the strength of the concrete specimen which can be also as replacement in

steel bar. In addition, the said reinforcement technique can reduce use of energy,

carbon dioxide, and being light. Also, Mostafa and Uddin (2015) said that natural fiber

can oppose crack formation to the concrete unit.

Related Studies

Several studies have been conducted in relation to adding Abaca Fiber on

Concrete Masonry Units. One of these is about using recycled materials as an

aggregate. The significance of the aggreagate (5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30 %) is replaced by

filler aggregate, is analyzed in the research. Concrete mixtures with natural aggregates

and crushed concrete waste were preferred and concrete mixtures of prescribed

consistence were produced during the research. Heat is dissipated when exothermic

reactions occur. Hence, the exothermic processes were investigated during the

concrete's mixture hardening period and the temperatures of exothermic feedbacks

were figured. For the research, Portland limestone cement, gravel break stone and

crushed concrete waste with the particles' size from 4 millimeter to 16 millimeter, natural

sand and crushed concrete waste, which particles' size was smaller than 4 millimeter

used as the fine aggregate were the raw materials used in the concrete's production. In

the investigation the mineral composition of the filler aggregate was determined. X-ray

diffraction breakdown of the filler aggregate was implemented. After the investigation, it

was determined that the hydration process, occurring during the hardening of concrete

mixture, depends on the origin and size of components used to produce this composite

material. During the research it was analyzed how characteristics of the binder change

when its part is replaced by crushed concrete waste with the size of 0/0.125 millimeter.

After a part of Portland cement is replaced by the filler aggregate, it was noticed that

filler aggregate increases water demand required to prepare the paste of normal

consistence, and initial set of the binder becomes longer. During the hardening of the

concrete, exothermic hydration reactions take place and heat that increase concrete's
temperature is dissipated. Concrete's sample, where coarse and fine aggregates were

replaced by the concrete waste, reached the maximal temperature slightly earlier than

the concrete sample where natural aggregates were used. After part of the binder is

exchanged by the filler aggregate, from the concrete sample, less hydration

temperature is acquired during cement hydration, and hydration process becomes

slower. Results of the analysis stated that the higher W/B, the slower inductive hydration

process of Portland cement and faster maximal exothermic temperature is reached.

When optimal compositions of the concrete mixture are fixed and elements or

characteristics of the required components are done, parts of the natural components of

concrete mixture can be replaced by the recycled materials, from the crushing of

concrete waste (Finozenok, Zurauskiene & Zurauskas, 2013). Another research about

using demolition waste as an aggregate was conducted by Ahmed (2013) with the same

materials such as Portland cement but with fly ash that was obtained from Collie power

station in Western Australia. The process undergone through the experiment are

casting, curling and testing. The compressive strength, incidental tensile strength,

flexural strength, and the absorption of water were identified by using four different ages

in each series. Slump test was done shortly after the mixing of concrete to see the

workability of each mix. At least three specimens were cast and tested in each set. The

specimen was water cured up to the day before the test date. The workability of

recycled aggregate concretes lessened with the increase in RCA contents. Recycled

aggregate concrete consist of 25% RCA indicated improved compressive, flexural

strength and tensile strength. The absorption of water for all recycled aggregate

concretes heightened with the increase in RCA contents. The inclusion of fly ash
decided the workability of recycled aggregate concretes. The inclusion of 40% fly ash

obviously lessened the absorption values of the recycled aggregate concretes. The

inclusion of 40% fly ash enhanced the long-term (56 and 91 days) compressive

strengths of recycled aggregate concretes.

Having crushed concrete waste as an additive was not the only research, many

others studied on using rubber as an aggregate. S. Shah, A. Shah, Naseer and Ashraf

(2014) investigated the possibility of using rubber waste from scrap tires as a substitute

of coarse aggregate in concrete. Work of concrete mixtures incorporating 5, 10 and

15% of scrap rubber as volume substitute for coarse aggregate was tested.

Compressive strength, flexural strength, stress–strain behavior, usefulness, air content,

water absorption and unit weight was evaluated using standard procedures. Thermal

behavior for concrete was inspected using hotbox technique. Changes are not visible in

the property of concrete up to 5% substitution were acquired. Above 5% substitution,

concrete properties change significantly. Compressive strength, flexure strength,

workability, stiffness and unit weight of a rubberized concrete lessened as rubber

content elevated. With the increase in rubber content, rubberized concrete heightened

in terms of its impact resistance, air content and water absorption. Thermal performance

of concrete incorporated with rubber aggregate was developed, and promising results

were obtained. Thus, rubberized concrete will be useful in slabs to more improved

energy performance of building unit. It is of great significance to enhance the flexibility

of concrete for specific functions, such as a tunnel pavement or an airport runway. The

relationship between mechanical attribute and microstructure features was further

explored. An experimental program was developed to use crumb rubber and shale
ceramsite to offer a flexible concrete. The influence of the crumb rubber dosage was

given much more attention. The rubberized lightweight aggregate concrete were

calculated by the compressive strength and elastic modulus. The corresponding

microstructure was measured by microhardness assessment and microscopic

observation. High number of crumb rubber dosage, the bonding interface between the

rubber and cement paste, as well as in between the shale ceramsite and cement paste,

increasingly became weakened or flexible were showed in experiment.Moreover, the

width of the weak bonding interface became wider. The results were the flexibility of

lightweight aggregate concrete can be improved by correctly adjusting the crumb rubber

dosage (Wang, Zhang, Shui, Tang & Kong, 2012).

Lightweight concrete execution in construction field is growing promptly in these

recent years due to its advantages over ordinary concrete. Pumice breccia which can

be found generously in Indonesia is proposed to be utilized as the crude aggregate.

Lightweight concrete exhibits more weak characteristics and lower tensile strength

compared with normal concrete aside from its benefits. Fiber addition into concrete has

become widely used for the innovation of its tensile properties. Furthermore, the usage

of hybrid fiber in a suitable sequence may potentially improve the mechanical properties

of concrete. Concrete content of aggregate lightweight concrete was experimentally

examined that the effects of hybrid polypropylene-steel fiber aggregate. Five groups of

test variety with set volume fraction of polypropylene fiber combined with contrasting

amounts of steel fiber were added in concrete to test the density and the modulus of

division of the concrete mixtures. Denoting improvement to the compressive strength,

modulus of elasticity, dividing the tensile strength, and the modulus of division of the
pumice breccia lightweight aggregate concrete had investigated results indicated that

hybrid fiber addition leads to and met the specification for structural purposes (Widodo,

Satyarno & Tudjono, 2012).

There are also bad effects of aggregating some waste materials. It was found

that water nylon cause harm to the environment and living organisms. A dominant

problem that every country is facing. An investigation was conducted in relation to

recycling polypropylene like water nylon. Test on specific gravity and sieve analysis

were done on the said investigation. Concrete units (15cm x 15cm x 15cm) and slabs

(60cm x 40cm x 5cm) were produced in a different amount of percentage. Flexural test

was used to examine the strength of the slabs while compressive strength on the

concrete units. It was found that 56% of water nylon were confined on the 5mm and its

specific gravity was .8mm. The findings were 16.30 N/mm2 for the compressive

strength of the 5% mixture while the control was 19.10 N/mm2. The fracture revealed

the flexural strength which has 1.8 mm with 4% mixture. The 12% mixture gave the

biggest crack width of 6.10 mm. Deflection in the polypropylene mixes are mostly higher

than the control. The work figured that at a maximum 4% mixture, the recycled waste

can be used as a replacement of fine aggregate in concrete (Akinyele & Hassan, 2015).

Teck (2015) also conducted a research about polypropylene. Polypropylene (PP) has

been regularly used by researchers to determine its performance in concrete matrix.

Flakes, fibres or granular shapes from crushed PP were used. However, the cost and

time consumption for processing will be elevated as the melting point of PP is around

170 oC. Thus, the novelty of this research was to determine the propriety of the

polypropylene cap (without any adjustment of shape) as coarse aggregate replacement

in concrete. The finishing of slump test, compressive strength test and rebound hammer

test shows that the PP cap was suitable to be an interchange as coarse aggregate in

concrete. The compressive strength of concrete masonry unit with PP cap was 27.3

MPa, higher than 20 MPa which is relevant for general concrete work. Moreover, the

compressive strength results of concrete at the age of 28 was elevated to temperatures

(100, 200, 300 and 600 oC) were also studied. From 100 oC to 300 oC, the results

stated that concrete with PP cap performed greater than the control concrete. The

additive was in placed by PP cap was fixed to 10 percent. Based on the experimental

results were concluded that the PP cap aggregates were able to replace as coarse

aggregate in concrete.

A similar study is conducted with relation to the enhancement of hollow block with

the use of natura fiber such as Abaca fiber. Mostaf and Uddin (2015) stated that they

used banana fiber in strengthening their hollow block. The diameter of the fiber is

examined from the opctical observations and sightings under microscopes as the

average of five.The range of deviation from 0.05 to 0.1 is the diameter of measurements

that is taken at different locations nearside the fiber. The samples had a division of four

broad categories based on the measurements of the fiber. They tested the radius times

two of the fiber at one hundred different bases with the length of four fibers. The

diameter that they examined at ten opposite places was also taken I one hundred fibers.

They identified the texture of the fiber with the use of gradient dense column initiated

from xylene (0.865 g/cm3) and carbon tetrachloride (one point five hundred ninety-five

grams per centimeter . Four different strain rates of banana was used in testing the

tensile strength of the Banana fiber. Five thousand three hundred of the banana fibers
and the nature of failure which were results on the tensile strength testing flashed that

the strain measures did an obvious role in the Stress train curves in the strength

buildings 2015. With the number of repetitions of the test that ranged from 20 tests on

each banana fiber of 7 texture. The lead representative stress strain curves for banana

fiber are shown. There was many initial reply of the system of fibers. With the exception

at the smallest strain rate of zero point one min, the standard curves shown the

tendencies of the things that can trigger the brittle fracture for the fibers. Some fibers

showed some elements for hardening. Some of the banana fibers did happened to

enhance the reorientation of small banana fibers. Impressing the strain rates shown,

more statues mixed modulus values. For the time it reaches its maximum strain rate,

banana fibers was good. The amorphous to crystalline dichloride distribution of load

was supported by the lower strain and upper strain rate. The reasons were visible and

shown with dangerous failure at the upper strain rates and the strain was illustrated.

Some of the stress strain curves was illustrated signs of strain hardening. (Mostaf &

Uddin 2015)

Theoretical Framework

Flexural
Strength of the
Abaca Fibers
 Tensile Strength Durable Hollow
of the Abaca Blocks with Abaca
Fiber Fiber as an Aggregate

Compressive
Strength Test

Aggregation of
Natural Fiber

Flexural strength and tensile strength of the abaca fiber can help to enhance the

compressive strength of the concrete unit. Flexural strength of the concrete is about the

ability of the material to resist failure in bending. On the other hand, the theory of tensile

strength of the concrete is about the resistance of a material to breaking under tension.

Compressive strength test is a test to examine the ability of the specimen to overcome a

certain load applied until it forms fracture. Aggregation of natural fiber in the concrete

will make it durable. Abaca is one of the natural fibers that can be added to the mixture

because of its durable components that will oppose crack formation and water

absorption of the hollow blocks.

Conceptual Framework
 Cutting,
Portland Cement Mixing, Hollow Blocks
Sand with Abaca
Molding,
Water
Fibers as an
Curing, Aggregate
Abaca Fiber
Drying

The material needed to produce hollow block are Portland cement, sand, and

water. Abaca fibre will enhance the durability of the hollow block. The abaca fibre will be

cut into 7 cm long. Mixing of the materials will be done and abaca fibre will be added

gradually until the mixture will be seen fine and consistent. Manual pressing technique

is a method that is traditionally used in producing the hollow block. It is a technique

traditionally used in the molding of hollow blocks. Then, the other one is curing which is

one of the processes in enhancing the durability of the hollow block. It can be done by

simply immersing the hollow block in water within 15-21 days. Last process is drying.

Hollow block will be dried in able to achieve its solid state. After all of the process, a

durable concrete hollow block with abaca fibre will be produce

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

A. Project description
 The proposed study that focused on the abaca fibers that served as an additional

aggregate enhanced the durability of the concrete masonry unit. Abaca is one example

of a leaf fibre which belongs to banana family of plants with more tapering the leaves

than Banana and is cheap, affordable, and abundantly available. It is said to be the

strongest natural fiber that has high tensile strength and flexural strength, buoyancy,

high porosity, resistance to saltwater damage, and long fibre length up to 3 m. As an

additional aggregate to the hollow block, the abaca fiber opposed crack formation and

water absorption.

B. Materials and Tools

B.1 Abaca Fiber

Abaca fiber was used. The said fiber served as the bridge in every particle

of the hollow block. This material mixed the concrete mixture until it became a

homogeneous mixture.
B.2 Portland Cement
Portland cement is the basic ingredient for concrete. This material is

mixed with abaca fiber until it became a homogeneous mixture.

B.3 Sand
The sand was fine and coarse. The homogeneous mixture used the right

amount of sand.
B.4 Water
Water is the important ingredient of the mixture. Also, homogenous

mixture used the right amount of water.

B.5 Semi-automatic technique
Semi-automatic was used to produce a concrete hollow block. It served as

the molding machine of the hollow block.

C. Project Design
 Figure 3.1 Dimension of hollow block illustration
D. Experimentation
D.1 Cutting
Cutting of abaca fibers has been done. The said fiber cut into 7 cm long to

prevent excess of strands on the hollow block.

D.2 Mixing
Mixing of the materials was done. Mixing is continued until the matrix is

observed to be consistent, and the fibers were added gradually while mixing.
D.3 Molding
By the use of semi-automatic technique, concrete hollow block is

produced.
D.4 Drying
After molding, the matrix molded into hollow block was dried to achieve its

dried formation.
D.5 Curing
Curing process is a method that will also enhance the durability of the

concrete unit. It was done after 6 days.

E. Testing
E.1 Compressive Strength Test
The test that is conducted was compressive test. It is a test that examined

the ability of the specimen to resist deformation when a certain amount of load is

applied. By the use of universal testing machine the compressive strength was

determine as seen in figure 3.2.

Figure 3.1 Compressive

strength test illustration

F. Analysis of data
The data from the tests in the hollow block with abaca fiber is compared to

the data from the ordinary hollow block. The data about the difference of the two

specimens is recorded.

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 4.1

Compressive Strength Test of Concrete Hollow Blocks

Sample Dimension(mm) Hole’s Gross Machine Compressive

Area Area Reading Strength
Identification ___________________________________________________________

Length Width mm2 mm2 (Kgf) Mpa psi

CHB “6”
395 140 7000 34300 1900 0.54 78.32
Normal (1)
395 150 7350 37200 6200 1.63 236.41
CHB “6”
Modified (2)
with 0.05 kg
of abaca
fibers

A. Computation on Normal Hollow Block:

Gross Area = (Length x Width) – (3 x Hole’s Area)

= (395 mm x 140 mm) – (3 x 7000 mm2)

= 55300 mm2 - 21000 mm2

= 34300 mm2

Megapascal = (Kgf x 9.8) / Gross Area

= (1900 Kgf x 9.8) / 34300 mm2

 = 18620 N / 34300 mm2

= 0.54 Mpa

Pounds per square inch = Mpa x 145.03

= 0.54 Mpa x 145.03

= 236.41 psi

B. Computation on Modified Hollow Block:

Gross Area = (Length x Width) – (3 x Hole’s Area)

= (395 mm x 150 mm) – (3 x 7350 mm2)

= 59250 mm2 – 22050 mm2

= 37200 mm2

Megapascal = (Kgf x 9.8) / Gross Area

= (6200 Kgf x 9.8) / 37200 mm2

= 60760 N / 37200 mm2

= 1.63 Mpa

Pounds per square inch = Mpa x 145.03

= 1.63 Mpa x 145.03

 = 78.32 psi

Based on the test results, modified block shows significant difference in

compressive strength compared to the normal block. It means that the modified block

has a higher compressive strength than the normal block. The computation can be

concluded that Compressive Strength is inversely proportional to the gross area of a

specimen. Also, it can be concluded that the aggregate (abaca fibers) helps to improve

the durability and strength of the concrete units. Similarly to this, Mostafa and Uddin

(2015) also said that natural fibers can be used as aggregate to enhance the durability

and strength of a concrete hollow block.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECCOMENDATION

A. Summary of Findings
 After the experimentation done on the specimen, we found the compressive

strength of the modified block which is 236.41 psi while the compressive strength of

normal block is about 78.32 psi. It means that the modified hollow block has a higher

compressive strength than the normal hollow block.

B. Conclusion

We therefore conclude that the aggregate (abaca fibers) can help to enhance the

durability and strength of the concrete hollow blocks. Thus, it can bring progress to

construction industry because of its durable components, cheap cost, and being

abundantly available.

C. Recommendation

The following are recommended to further improve the present study:

1. Based on our curing process, we only spent 6 days in the said process. It should

be around 21 to 28 days so it could produce more durable output.

2. The length of the abaca fibers used as an aggregate should be around 4 to 6 cm

to avoid excess of strands on the hollow block.

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