Over the past few years, ever since the energy crunch began, there has been a tremendous

interest in energy saving both on new and existing structures. Carpenters, contractors, and
builders have found that, over time, using certain materials and techniques can result in big
savings. [1]. National Economic and Development Authority stated that to accelerate

infrastructure development and offer equitable access to infrastructure services one

must optimize resources. [2]

Coconut is one of the abundant crops that grows in the tropical regions.
Coconut tree is considered as tree of life in the Philippines due to its
effectiveness. Starting from the roots up to the fruit. Everything can be
extracted to a product. One of its part is the coir, extracted from coconut
husk, according to Philippine Coconut Authority, Coconut husks are made of
bristle fiber (10%), mattress fiber (20%), and coir dust and shorts or wastes
(70%). Normally, the coconut coir fiber is 350 mm in length, 0.120.25 mm in
diameter and 1250 kg/m3 in density. Coconut fiber has one of the highest
amounts of lignin coating, which makes it stronger than most other types of
natural fiber: only banana fiber has a greater tensile strength. [3]. Natural
fibers are found to be low density, low cost, high toughness, reasonable
specific strength, recyclability, and biodegradability. In terms of research,
there has already been substantial work on the use of fiber cement products
as insulation materials for roofs, ceilings and walls. [4]. The Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations define Coir as the thickest and
most resistant of all commercial natural fibers, coir is a coarse, short fiber
extracted from the outer shell of coconuts. Its low decomposition rate means
is a key advantage for making durable geo-textiles.
The use of coir fiber as a reinforcement for cement to produce low cost building
board has been considered by Pama, Cook, and Oranratnachai[5].

Coir Fibre Reinforced Cement as a Low Cost Roofing Material

Coir: Among vegetable fibres, coir has one of the highest concentrations of lignin, making it
stronger but less flexible than cotton and unsuitable for dyeing. The tensile strength of coir is low
compared to abaca, but it has good resistance to microbial action and salt water damage. A
coarse, short fibre extracted from the outer shell of coconuts, coir is found in ropes, mattresses,
brushes, geotextiles and automobile seats.
Typically, white coir spun into yarn is used in the manufacture of rope and, thanks to its strong resistance to salt
water, in fishing nets. Brown coir is stronger and more widely used than white coir. Applications include sacking,
brushes, doormats, rugs, mattresses, insulation panels and packaging.

http://www.fao.org/natural-fibres-2009/about/15-natural-fibres/en/

[1] Phelps J, Philbin T. Complete building construction. New York,

USA: Macmillan Publishing Company. 1986: 4213.

[2] Accelerating Infrastructure Development

Properties of natural fiber cement materials containing coconut

coir and
oil palm fibers for residential building applications
[3]

[4] Properties of natural fiber cement materials containing coconut

coir and
oil palm fibers for residential building applications

[5] MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COIR-FIBRE BOARDS. PROC.CONF.

NEW HORIZONS IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. LEHIGH

ASTM C2018-72 STANDARD METHODS OF TESTING INSULATING BOARD (CELLULOSE FIBER)

STRUCTURAL AND DECORATIVE