Madre de Cacao Fibre as Hollow Block Binder

More, Julius L.1, Sepada, Jhon Clyde G.1

Civil Engineering Program, College of Engineering Education
University of Mindanao, Matina, Davao City, Philippines
1julzmore15@gmail.com

1jhonclydesepada@gmail.com

Given that, hollow blocks have a low bearing capacity.

I. INTRODUCTION
As a result, masonry walls are poor in seismic performance and
Masonry hollow block is one in every of the most will be first to crumble during earthquakes [11].
materials in building low-rise or high-rise buildings. However,
construction nowadays is incredibly costly thanks to the worth In this study, the effect of Madre de Cacao fiber of different
inflation of raw resources like cement. The growing demand for percentages studied to help for producing masonry hollow
cement, which is employed as a primary binder agent within the blocks with increased workability and compressive strength
making of concrete hollow blocks, ends up in the increased cost [12]. It aims also to manufacture economical blocks by
of those materials and has posed a controversy to the growing reducing the usage of cement with the help of the fiber and to
needs of some builders within the country today [1]. As a result, reduce construction costs.
fiber-reinforced materials draw the interest of manufacturers.
This study covers the only production of 40cm x 20cm x
Using fibers is economical for increasing their certain
10cm concrete masonry blocks that used for internal partitions
properties, like durability, shear strength, toughness, and of low-rise buildings.
energy absorption [2] and artificial fiber commonly used. On
the opposite hand, environmental issues are arising from II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
disposing synthetic fibers and manufacturing these forms of A. Conceptual Framework
fibers is pricey and consumes a large amount of energy [3]. This
study attempts to boost the standard and sturdiness of masonry Fig. 1 shows the steps needed to accomplish this study.
hollow blocks without harming the environment and being Gathering Madre de Cacao fiber and treating it using Alkaline
relatively cheap by using fiber of Madre de cacao. Moreover, Water. Then, mixed the extracted Madre de Cacao fiber to the
natural fibers are abundant and readily available in our hollow block’s mix. After the production of hollow blocks, the
surroundings [4]. It is easy to reap, economical, and blocks did undergo the measurement of dimensions,
environmentally friendly. Unlike synthetic fibers, natural fibers compressive strength test, and absorption testing. The final
output was hollow blocks with Madre de Cacao fiber as an
are recyclable and pose less hazard to the environment [5].
additive binding agent.
There are several benefits of using fibers in different
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
types of structural concrete. The function of fibers for crack
control, toughness, and ductility improvement and as a
substitute to traditional reinforcement in particular cases is Production of
Madre de hollow blocks,
well-recognized [6]. In previous research, the compressive Cacao Fiber,
strength of the concrete with 28 days of curing increased by Dimension Hollow
Alkaline Measurement,
6.27% in the presence of 1% natural fiber. Moreover, the split Block with
Water, Compressive
tensile of the concrete with the same curing day increased to Madre de
Cement, and Strength Test,
4.49 MPa from 4.24 MPa with 1% natural fiber and a Cacao Fiber
Fine and
percentage beyond that there is a decrease in strength [7]. For Aggregates
the flexural strength of the concrete, it increased to 66.5% with Absorption
1% of natural fiber. For shear cracking, the cracks due to shear Test
were reduced compared to the concrete with no fiber [8].
Furthermore, natural fibers or cellulosic fibers can help to Fig. 1 Conceptual Framework
produce thicker binder films [9]. Madre de Cacao has the
following minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, B. Research Materials and Equipment
magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper and iron and it contains
The fabrication of the product needed cement, fine and
high fiber content. Besides, it has 27% of dry matter, 7% of
coarse aggregates, hollow block molders, and Madre De Cacao
mineral matter, 35% of fiber, and 5% of ether extract [10]. fiber as a binding additive. Alkaline water used for treating
natural fiber to avoid its decomposition. After the production,
the compressive test machine utilized to test the compressive
strength of hollow blocks with Madre de Cacao fiber as an
additive binding agent.
C. Methods and Procedures
This study used the method of experimental research.
It initiates to improve the quality of masonry hollow blocks
using natural fiber.
The extraction of Madre de Cacao fiber achieved
through debarking, cutting branches from Madre de Cacao tree
and smashing the branch flat. Then, break into halves and
removing the inner wood, leaving the fibrous bark ribbon. After
gathering the bark ribbon, the retting process took place. It was
completed through totally submerging the bark ribbon in water
and allow it to soak for 7 days, wash the soaked bark ribbon to
remove the cuticle and epidermal layer and let it dry [13].
For treating the fiber, alkaline water was used. The
dried fiber bundles were soaked to alkaline water for 24 hours
to increase the surface roughness by shattering the internal
hydrogen bonding that changes surface topography,
crystallinity, unit cell structure, moisture absorption, and
orientation of fibrils, enhancing the mechanical properties of
the fiber. During the treatment, lignin, wax, and oils that
conceal the exterior surface of the fiber cell wall will be partly
removed, as well as hemicellulose, and that will trigger the
cellulose decomposition and expose short length crystallites
[14].
The cement to aggregates design mix ratio of masonry
hollow blocks is one is to six respectively. Three batches were
prepared with different Madre de Cacao fiber percentages,
0.3%, 0.5%, and 1%, by cement mass. The ratio for mix design
ratio of concrete masonry hollow blocks was 0.5:1:6 (water:
cement: aggregates). The aggregates must consist of 60% fine
aggregates and 40% of 6 to 12 mm diameter of coarse
aggregates [15]. The concrete hollow blocks with Madre de
Cacao fiber did undergo different quality testing; measurement
of dimensions, compressive strength test, and absorption test
following ASTM C140/C140M – 18 standards [16].
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Evaluation of Hollow Blocks Wall by Reduced Linear State
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[12] D. U. Shah, “Developing plant fibre composites for structural
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[13] R. M. Rowell, “Wood and Wood Fiber Characteristics: Moisture,
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