Design of Experiment (DoE)

entitled

The Effect of Using Human Hair Fiber as Concrete Admixture

Labrador, Christian Polo

Olubalang, Nicole
Ortega, Arvin
Pacia, Erica
Ralla, Christian Jake

Technological Institute of the Philippines

Cubao, Quezon City

October 18, 2018

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research would not be possible without the help of many people. First of all the researchers
would like to thank the Almighty God who gave strength, wisdom, determination, and guidance to
accomplish this study.

To the following people who have been instrumental to the success of this research:

To Engr. Caroline Asuncion, course instructor, for giving useful insights and being able to guide the
researchers throughout the completion of the study;

To the faculty from CE Stockroom namely Sir Patrick and Sir Jorge, who is very approachable to
lend pieces of equipment that we need in order to conduct this design experiment.

To the Serrano family who is very willing to let the researchers to use the front yard of their house
to construct the concrete and use some of their utilities.

To some friends and classmates who contributed pieces of advice and efforts that helped this
study be possible.

To their parents, who have been always beside them, encouraged and supported them;

The researchers would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of you.
 DEDICATION

The researchers would like to dedicate this paper to the future researchers, especially students or
individuals who wants to replace the conventional concrete by promoting economic materials.

To the Civil Engineering professionals who seeks for environment-friendly materials.

To the Civil Engineering department, without the idea of giving design project, we will not have any
ideas that simple things around us can be of use for innovative design for eco-friendly concrete.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE EFFECT OF USING HUMAN HAIR FIBER AS CONCRETE ADMIXTURE

Title Page……………………………………………………………………………………..……………..i
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………..…….…...ii
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..iii
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………..………..…...iv
List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………………………..…..v
CHAPTER I - BACKGROUND AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER II - REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CHAPTER III - RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER IV – PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS
CHAPTER V – CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CURRICULUM VITAE
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Analytical Framework
 Compression Test for cylindrical concrete
30
25.058 24.41
25 21.51
19.194
Stress (N/mm2)

20 17.495
15.603
15
10
5
0
7 days 14 days 21 days
Days
Design Mix (MPa) Conventional (MPa)

Flexural Test for beam concrete

1.2 1.06 1.06
1
Stress (N/mm2)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
14 days 21 days
Days
Design Mix (MPa)
 LIST OF TABLES
The percentage of COHNS elements in hair is as follows:
ELEMENT PERCENTAGE IN HUMAN HAIR
Carbon 51%
Oxygen 21%
Nitrogen 17%
Hydrogen 6%
Sulfur 5%
Table 1

Compression Test for cylindrical concrete

CURING PERIOD 7days 14 days 21 days
CONVENTIONAL 17.495 MPa 25.058 MPa 24.41 MPa
DESIGN MIX 15.603 MPa 19.194 MPa 21.51 MPa

CURING PERIOD 14 days 21 days

DESIGN MIX 1.06 MPa 1.06 MPa
 I. GENERAL BACKGROUND

I. ABSTRACT
Ever since the concrete was first invented, the specialists in the field of engineering continue to
expand and discover different admixtures to improve its strength and other physical and chemical
characteristics over the years.
Concrete is a composite building material and the ingredients, of which cement, sand and
gravel are few components of it have changed over time and are changing even now. The
performance characteristics can change according to the different forces that the concrete will need
to resist. These forces may be gradual or intense, they may come from above (gravity), below (soil
heaving), the sides (lateral loads), or they might take the form of erosion, abrasion or chemical
attack. And to be able to adapt to these changes, using admixtures allows the change in the
workability and strength of the concrete.

Today’s concrete is made using Portland cement, coarse and fine aggregates of stone and
sand, and water. Admixtures are substance or chemicals added to the concrete mix to control its
setting properties and are used primarily when placing concrete during environmental extremes,
such as high or low temperatures, windy conditions, etc. Institute (ACI) committee 318’s
“Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete” does not yet recognize the enhancements
that the fiber reinforcement can provide for the structural behavior of concrete elements (even the
most common and well-researched type of fiber-steel). However, according to the State-of-the-Art
report written by ACI Committee 544, use of fiber reinforced cements is increasing around the
world for a variety of applications. Some of the common applications of FRC include precast
architectural cladding panels, slabs on grade, mining, tunneling, and support applications among
others. Thus, this study attempts to investigate the effect of the fiber in human hair as an admixture
in the strength of the concrete.
The researchers deem that this study would be beneficial for the potentially cost effective solution
to avoid spending pesos in expensive chemicals admixtures.
 II. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The strength of the concrete depends on the level and percentage of each component, such as the
aggregates namely sand and gravel but with the help of different admixtures its strength capacity
can reach its maximum level.
When concrete is first placed, moisture will evaporate from the surface faster than within
the mass of the concrete. As the surface begins to cure faster than the concrete below the surface,
tensile stresses build up and shallow microscopic cracks develop in random directions. If allowed
to develop without restraint, these cracks can grow wider and lengthen to become major aesthetic
and functional problems.
Fiber reinforcing has no impact on the air content of concrete compared to the same sample
of non-fiber concrete, but the impact on slump is significant and it is good in restricting the initial
shrinkage cracking that occurs in the initial stages. Several types of fiber exist. They include steel,
glass, synthetic and natural fibers. Their selection depends on the usage and environment of the
finished concrete.
The researchers of this study came to realization that the fiber in human hair can be used
to help the concrete minimize or avoid cracks and that leads on using human hair as an admixture
in concrete.

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is mainly about emphasizing the possible effect of human hair in the strength of the
concrete. The findings of this study would be beneficial specifically to the following:
The Environment. Human hair does not decomposed easily, in barber shop and salon it has
become a solid waste that can be harmful for the nature and people itself and this study
would help to reduce waste that can potentially harm the environment and the people.
Engineering students. This study may serve as reference for those students taking up
similar studies.
Instructor. This study may help them discuss the related topics in this research to future
researchers to help them improve a comprehensive study.
Future Researchers. This study will be useful as their reference in making a research related
to this topic.
II. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OBJECTIVES
This DoE aims to:
1) Conduct the applicability of Human Hair Fiber in concrete.
2) Identify the capability of Human Hair Fiber being integrated in concrete making.
3) Discuss durability of the concrete in addition of Human Hair Fiber
III. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
a. FRAMEWORK
 b. ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

This study focuses only on the compressive and flexural strength analysis of concrete based on
ASTM C494 / C494M – 17 “Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete.” The
study aims to focus on the strength of the concrete by adding human hair waste material in the
mixture. The study also focuses on the objective, which is to test the significant effect of fiber in
human hair as an admixture in concrete.

IV. PROCEDURE
1) ASTM C566
Performed by filling-up one-thirds of the measure, level and tamped 25 times
evenly distributed over the surface.

V. DESIGN STATISTICS
a. ANALYSIS
b. INTERPRETATION

VI. DISCUSSIONS
VII. CONCLUSION AND GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
This study on adding alternative material as an admixture has shown that the improvements
in the properties of the concrete obtained herein are significant with the addition of the human hair.
It seems that the percentage quantity of the human hair required achieving the best results in terms
of the concrete compressive strength lies on 21 days cure time with 21.51 MPa and flexural
strength lies with 1.06 MPa since the 14 and 21 days cure time has the same result. Furthermore,
it can be concluded based on the results obtained that human hair can be effectively used as an
admixture since it was able to produce considerable improvements in the properties.

VIII. REFERENCES
Concrete. Retrieved from www.ekaconcrete.com
Human Hair: A Biodegradable Composite Fiber A Review.2016. Retrieved from
https://www.omicsonline.org
Hair composition. Retrieved from https://designessentials.com/hair-composition/
The History of Concrete (Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard)
Use of Fiber-Reinforced Cements in Masonry Construction and Structural Rehabilitation .2014.
Retrieved from https://www.nachi.org/history-of-concrete.htm
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/8858/10/10_chapter-3.pdf