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Available online at http://www.journalcra.com

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF CURRENT RESEARCH
International Journal of Current Research
Vol. 8, Issue, 11, pp.40843-40846, November, 2016

ISSN: 0975-833X
RESEARCH ARTICLE

UTILIZATION OF ABACA FIBER AS A COMPONENT MATERIAL IN CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS

*Dr. Grace O. Manlapas

Research Director, Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Philippines

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: The objectives of the study was to determine the quality attributes of the aggregates such as sand and
Received 17th August, 2016
pea gravel as to sieve analysis, moisture content, unit weight/mass determination, specific gravity,
Received in revised form and absorption; to determine the compressive strength of the concrete hollow blocks using two
24th September, 2016 different treatments-
treatments 1:2:4+0% (without abaca fiber)
er) and 1:1.88:3.76+6% (with abaca fiber) after 14
Accepted 23rd October, 2016 days curing period; to determine the significant mean difference between the two treatments; and to
Published online 30th November, 2016 determine the cost and return analysis. Tests showed that on the 14th day of curing, the CHB samples
with abaca fibers attained a compressive strength of 500 psi, the minimum value stipulated in ASTM
Key words: C129 for hollow non-load
non load bearing concrete masonry unit. It’s not only about the addition of abaca
Concrete hollow blocks, fiber that improved the CHB, but equally significant is the potential
potential of recycling materials for a better
Component material, environment and the economic impact in communities where abaca industry is active.The difference
Aggregates. between the two treatment means is significant material at 5% level. Hence, the CHB with abaca fiber
has higher compressive
compressive strength than the CHB without abaca fiber. CHB A with a design mix of
1:2:4+0% abaca fiber can produce 55 pcs. Per bag of cement at Php10.00 per block while CHB B
with a design mix of 1:1.88:3.76+6% abaca fiber can also produce 55 pcs at Php9.90 pe per block with a
return of investment of 19% for one year.

Copyright © 2016, Dr. Grace O. Manlapas. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Att
Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Citation: Dr. Grace O. Manlapas. 2016. “Utilization blocks”, International Journal of Current
Utilization of abaca fiber as a component material in concrete hollow blocks
Research, 8, (11), 40843-40846.

INTRODUCTION Abaca leaves are narrower with pointed ends and the general
coloration of the leaves is glossy dark green about 8 ft. in
Plain concrete has low resistance when it comes to flexure and length and 12 ft. in width. The stem grows to a height of 99-12
deflection. The weakness was attributed to the crack formation ft., 3 inches in thickness. When mature, the abaca plant
that sometimes developed in the concrete. Enhancement of consists of about 12-3030 stalks, 12
12-20 ft. high, radiating from a
such properties in concrete could be achieved by the addition central root system, the source of fibers. Initially, it requir
requires 2
of fibers with the basic role that is to bridge across the crack. to 4 years for the abaca plant to ripen. However, the abaca can
Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) is very common nowadays in grow shoots that develop roots and become ready for harvest in
building and construction for it is time proofed
proofe and earthquake 4-88 months after the initial crop. When all the leaves have been
resistant walling materials. It can be produced by hand and by formed from the stem, flower buds develop, at which time th the
machine. Moreover, the utilization of abaca fibers as a plant has reached maturity and ready for harvest (Abaca
component material is environment- friendly as well as it gave Philippines. 2007). The physical property of the abaca fiber in
more strength to the blocks due to the crack control capability
capa Leyte Region as to its tensile strength is 52.15 kgf/g/m; the
of the fiber and it is environment- friendly as well. Abaca variety are more elastic with 7.05% elongation. For the
(Musa textilis), a tree-like
like herb which is of the same genus as morphological property,
operty, abaca fiber in Leyte has the shortest
the common banana as it closely resembles is three times fibers which ranges from 4.79 to 4.22m. It has a fiber diameter
stronger than the coniferous fiber and is far more resistant to that ranges from 20.03µ. It appears to have wider lumen which
salt water decomposition than most vegetable fibers. The fiber ranges from 11.36µ to 12.78µ. It has a medium cell wall that
has remarkably high physical strength properties such as ranges from 4.34µ to 4.05µ.05µ. As to the chemical property, the
tensile, burst, folding, tear and inter fiber bonding strength, variety from Leyte has the lowest lignin content that ranges
which are primarily due to its high Runkel ratio (Abaca from 9.54% to 9.79% and soluble in alcohol alcohol-benzene that
Philippines, 2007). ranges from 0.58% to 0.61%. Fiber Medium in Holo from
89.20% to 89.76% and Alpha from 65.41% to 64.74 64.74%
*Corresponding author: Dr. Grace O. Manlapas, Cellulose Content (Fiber Technology and Utilization Division,
Research Director, Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City, 1997).
Eastern Samar, Philippines.
40844 Dr. Grace O. Manlapas, Utilization of abaca fiber as a component material in concrete hollow blocks

Across the globe, abaca products are known for its versatility. such as abaca. As abaca is indigenous in the Philippines and is
It’s about the by-products such as ropes, cloth, furniture, paper, considered as the strongest among natural fibers, this moreover
cordage, fashion accessories, and home decors. Although this promoted the conduct of the study.
material has been popularly used for many decades, what may
not be generally known is that abaca fiber can also be utilized MATERIALS AND METHODS
as a component material of concrete hollow blocks (CHB),
which is primarily used as building materials in the The study was an experimental type of research which
construction of walls and other structures. A concrete hollow involved the preparation of material such as the cutting of the
block is sometimes called a concrete masonry unit. It is one of abaca fibers into an approximate length of 10-15mm to be
the precast concrete products used in construction as it is strong enough and to prevent from bending during the mixing
formed and hardened before they are used or brought to the job process. The abaca fiber used in the study was the wastes or
site. The concrete that is commonly used to make concrete rejected abaca fiber. The aggregates samples such as sand (fine
hollow blocks is a mixture of powdered Portland cement, sand, aggregates) and pea gravel (coarse aggregates) were taken
pea gravel and water which produces a light gray block with a from the locality. The aggregate samples and abaca fiber were
fine surface texture. prepared for the laboratory tests conducted at the College of
Engineering and Technology-Testing and Laboratory to
Statement of the Problem determine the quality attributes as to sieve analysis, moisture
content, unit weight/mass determination, specific gravity and
This study on the utilization of abaca fiber as a component water absorption. There were two treatments (design mix)
material in Concrete Hollow Blockaims to determine as to: employed in the production of the concrete hollow blocks,
namely: 1:2:4 + 0% (1 bag of Portland cement Type 1, 2 ft.3
 What are the quality attributes of the aggregates as to: sand, 4 ft.3 pea gravel), and 0% Abaca Fiber (no fiber); and the
 sieve analysis, 1:1.88:3.76 + 6% (1 bag of Portland cement Type 1, 1.88 ft.3
 moisture Content, sand,3.76 ft.3 Pea gravel, and 6% Abaca Fiber). The 6% of the
 unit weight/ mass determine, 2 ft.3 of sand that is equivalent to 0.12 ft.3 and the 6% of the 4
 specific gravity, ft.3 of pea gravel which is equivalent to 0.24 ft.3 was removed
 water absorption and was replaced with its equivalent volume by the 10-15mm
 What is the compressive strength of the concrete hollow cut abaca fibers equivalent to 0.36 ft.3. For each design mix,
blocks with and without the abaca fiber after 14 days the materials were prepared according to the volume as stated
curing period? in Table 1. The aggregates such as sand and pea gravel were
 What is the significant mean difference of the concrete first mixed, and the cut abaca fibers were sprinkled to the
hollow blocks considering its compressive strength after 14 mixed sand and pea gravel and were mixed again. The cement
days curing period? was mixed and a certain amount of clean water was poured
 What is the cost and return analysis of the concrete hollow until it reached to its readiness and good workability. When the
blocks? concrete was thoroughly mixed, it was placed in a 4”x8”x16”
CHB molder and released in an open space for drying. After 14
Review of Relevant Literature days curing period, the concrete hollow blocks were brought to
DPWH Laboratory-Borongan City for the quality tests to
Abaca fibers have several industrial applications for building determine its compressive strength using a Universal Testing
materials such as fiber boards, ceramic tiles, wall facades, Machine (UTM). As presented in Table 1, CHB A with a
plumbing fixtures, reinforced concrete and roofing, caulking, design mix of 1:2:4+0% used 1 bag of Cement, 2 ft.3 of sand,
flooring and electricity poles. It was even used as ropes by 4 ft.3 of pea gravel, no abaca fiber added, 15 liters of clean
American navy since 1834 for it had a remarkable tensile water that produced 55 pcs. CHB with a design mix of
strength as it is more resistant to salt water decomposition. In 1:1.88:3.76+6% used 1 bag of cement, 1.88 ft.3 sand, 3.76 ft.
fact, it was and still the strongest of all natural fibers and these pea gravel, 0.36 ft.3 abaca fiber, 15 liters of clean water
qualities were appreciated by other foreign shipping companies resulted to 55 pcs CHB.
as well. These facts are published by Abaca Philippines
(2007). According to Beltran (2005), plain concrete is a brittle RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
material with low tensile strength and strain capacities. The
addition of fibers in concrete at considerable amount provided Quality Attributes of Aggregates
contribution in the compressive strength of the composite due
to the intertwining effect of the fibers. It has an obvious The quality attributes of aggregates (sand and pea gravel) as to
enhancement on the flexural strength of the fiber reinforced sieve analysis is presented in Table 2, likewise for its moisture
concrete. A greater increase in the flexural resistance or content, unit weight /mass determination, specific gravity, and
modulus of rupture was observed at considerable amount and absorption are presented in Table 3. Based on the results
length of abaca fiber (Beltran, 2005). The American Society presented in Table 2 for the sieve analysis of the aggregates,
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C129 covers hollow and Using 3”, 1 ½” and 3/8” passed the governing specifications.
solid non-load bearing units that are intended for use in non- No. 4 sieve, no. 10, 40, and no.200 also passed the governing
load bearing partitions. It reported that hollow and solid non- specifications. Based on the laboratory results presented in
load bearing units require a minimum compressive strength of Table 3, the moisture content of is 8.78%, pea gravel has
500 psi (3.5 MPa) for individual units. The use of recycled and 4.29%. Sand has a unit weight/mass determination of 1560.40
biodegradable materials instead of plastics and other synthetic kg/m3, pea gravel has 1636.53 kg/m3 .specific gravity of 2.18,
materials has encouraged many industries to shift back to the and pea gravel has 1.23. Sand has absorption of 4.25%, and
utilization of environmentally-friendly natural raw materials pea gravel has 2.25%.
40845 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 08, Issue, 11, pp.40843-40846, November, 2016

Figure 1. Flow of the Study

Table 1. Materials of the Concrete Hollow Block

CHB Design Mix Cement (Bags) Sand (ft.3) Pea Gravel (ft.3) Abaca Fiber (ft.3) Water (liters) CHB (pcs.)
A 1:2:4 + 0% 1 2 4 0 15 55
B 1:1.88:3.76 +6% 1 1.88 3.76 0.36 15 55

Table 2. Quality Attributes as to Sieve Analysis

Sieve size Cumulative Governing

Inch MM Wt. Ret. gm Weight Passing % Passing % Retained Specification
3” 75 0 6707 100 - 100
11/2” 37.5 0 6707 100 - 80-100
3/8” 9.5 872 5835 87 - 45-100
No.4 4.75 3555 2280 34 - 30-85
No.10 2.99 1140 1140 17 - 15-65
No.40 425µm 738 402 6 - 5-35
No.200 75µm 268 134 2 - 0-3
Pan 3 - - - -
Wash Loss Passing No. 200 131 - - - -
TOTAL 6707

Table 3. Quality Attributes of Aggregates as to Moisture Content, Unit Wt./Mass Determination, Specific Gravity and Absorption

Quality Attributes Sand Pea Gravel

Moisture Content, % 8.78 4.29
Unit Weight/Mass Determination, kg./m3 1560.40 1636.53
Specific Gravity 2.18 1.23
Absorption, % 4.28 2.25

Table 4. Compressive Strength of CHB

Compressive Strength, Psi

CHB Average, Psi
1 2 3
A 488.50 602 610 566.83
B 495 605 632.50 577.50
40846 Dr. Grace O. Manlapas, Utilization of abaca fiber as a component material in concrete hollow blocks

Table 5. T-Test of CHB Compressive Strength

Compressive Strength, Psi

CHB Total Mean
1 2 3
A 488.50 602 610 1700.50 566.83
B 495 605 632.50 1,732.50 577.50

Table 6. Cost Analysis

Material Cost (Php)

Total
Labor Total Cost Profit Net Cost Output Price/
Cement

Gravel

Abaca
Design Mix Material

Fiber
Sand

Pea
Cost (TC) (20% of TC) (Pcs.) Block
Cost

(A)1:2:4 + 0% 240 34.20 73.45 - 347.65 110 457.65 91.53 549.18 55 10.00
(B)1:1.88:3.76 + 6% 240 31.80 68.90 5.00 345.70 110 455.70 91.14 546.84 55 9.90

Table 7. Return of Investment (ROI) for One Year

CHB Gross sales for 1 Year, Php Expenses for 1 Year, Php Net profit, Php ROI, %
A 633,600.00 529,412.80 104,187.20 19.68
B 627,264.00 527,166.40 100,097.60 19.00

Based on the results presented in Table 4 for the compressive The aggregates passed the quality attributes tests conducted as
strength of concrete hollow block, CHB A (without abaca to sieve analysis, moisture content, unit weight/mass
fiber) yielded an individual strength of 488.50 psi (pounds per determination, specific gravity, and absorption. The concrete
square inch), 602 psi, and 610 psi with an average of 566.83 hollow block with abaca fiber (CHB B) yielded a higher
psi. CHB B (with 6% abaca fiber) yielded a higher individual compressive strength that passed the standards set by ASTM
compressive strength of 495 psi, 605 psi, and 632.50 psi C129 for individual non-load bearing units, whereas the
respectively. CHB B has the average compressive strength of concrete hollow block without abaca fiber (CHB A) that
577.50 psi. It passed the standards set by the American Society yielded a lower compressive strength and did not passed the
for Testing and Materials (ASTM C129) for individual allowable compressive strength for individual non-load bearing
compressive strength of non-load bearing concrete hollow units set by ASTM C129. There was a significant mean
blocks which is 500 psi (3.45 Mpa). For the statistical analysis, difference between the CHB at 5% level. CHB B with the
t-test was used in the study. Based on the compressive strength abaca fiber was more economical that amounted to
results presented in Table 5, the difference between the two Php9.90/pc., compared to CHB A (without abaca fiber) that
treatment means is significant at 5% level. The df being 4. amounted to Php10.00/pc. and to the prevailing price in the
locality which ranges from Php10.00-Php10.50/pc. The
Hence, the concrete hollow block with the 6% abaca fiber increase in strength of the concrete hollow block was attributed
(CHB B) has a higher compressive strength than the concrete to the capability of abaca fiber to hold grains in sand and pea
hollow block without abaca fiber (CHB A). As presented in gravel in place which prevented the crack formation in the
Table 6, the CHB A with a design mix of 1:2:4+0% Abaca block. Therefore, abaca fiber is considered as a good
Fiber (without abaca fiber) has a total cost of P457.65 for the component material of concrete hollow block.
Labor and Materials and a 20% profit of the TC amounting
P91.53. The Net Cost amounted to P549.18. The total number Acknowledgement
of CHB produced was 55 pcs. That amounted to P10.00 per
block. CHB B with 6% Abaca Fiber has a Total Cost for the The author would like to thank Eastern Samar State University
Labor and materials of P455.70 and a Profit of P91.14. It has a Administration for the financial support and the ESSU College
Net Cost of P546.84. The total number of CHB produced was of Engineering.
55 pcs. That amounted to P9.90 per block. The cost of Portland
cement type 1 is Php240/bag, sand is Php600/m3, pea gravel is REFERENCES
Php650/m3, and abaca fiber is Php50/kilo. As presented in
American Society of Testing and Materials.Standard
Table 6, the Return of Investment (ROI) for one (1) year
Specification for Non-load Bearing Concrete Masonry
investmentof CHB A (without abaca Fiber) is 19.68%, while
Units. ASTM International. USA. 2003.
CHB B (with abaca fiber) is 19%.
Beltran, Gil S. A Study on the Abaca Fiber Reinforced
Concrete Composite. Technological University of the
Conclusion
Philippines. Cavite. 2005.
Fiber Industry Development Authority. Determination of the
The utilization of abaca fiber as a component material had a
Characteristics of Selected Abaca Variety.Fiber
very good performance in the production of concrete hollow
Technology and Utilization Division. BAI Compound,
blocks (CHB).
Visayas Avenue, Diliman Quezon City. Phils. 1997.

*******