ENGINEERING SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Banana Cardava Pseudostem Fiberboard

A Great Alternative for Constructional Materials

____________________

A Research Study Presented to:

Ms. Melissa B. Bucayu
College of Engineering Department
National University Baliwag
_____________________

In Fulfillment for the Requirements in

Calculus-Based Physics for Engineers - LAB
for the Academic Course
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
____________________

By
Pile, Nico
Mallari, Mark Daniel
Fajardo, Jaira Mae
Recta, Charles
Santos, Mark Anthony
 CHAPTER 1

Introduction and Its Background

Banana is one of the world's most well-known and valuable plants. Almost all of its parts

are useful, just like a coconut. The fruit is for food supply, the leaves are used for food packaging,

the flower bud is used as a vegetable, and the trunk and its stem are utilized as fibers. Banana

plants, which belong to the family of Musaceae, are native to the Maritime region of Southeast

Asia, including the Philippines. Bananas are widely produced and an abundant natural resource in

tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. They are used in most food and non-food-related

applications, for example, as thickener, colorant, and flavoring, macro-, and micro-nutrient

sources, livestock feed, fibers, bioactive compound sources, and organic fertilizers. Thus, all parts

of the banana plant have some medical added values.

Banana was the leading fruit grown in the Philippines and a consistent top dollar earner

even in the international market. It was the fourth-largest produced fruit crop in the world. Thus,

the banana stem was considered a scrap product from the banana industry after harvesting the

banana fruit and cutting the banana plant (Musa Sapientum). However, this cylindrical stem

contained natural fiber. The banana fiber was a lignocellulosic fiber obtained from the banana stem

that could be extracted manually, chemically, or mechanically. It was also an eco-friendly material

found in abundance in the Philippines.

According to DOST, a massive volume of the banana stem was discarded as waste yearly

after harvesting here in the Philippines. This enormous volume of waste from the banana industry
could produce millions of tons of banana fibers if adequately utilized. Several types of research

concerning natural fibers such as coconut and abaca fiber as reinforcements in construction sites;

however, underpinnings from banana fiber have remained undiscovered.

Following these various benefits of the banana plant, it was identified that a vast proportion

of banana production, commonly the banana stem, was dumped as waste, agitating environmental

hazards and ecosystem instability. These issues widely affect the agricultural aspects of the

country, especially the farmers, in disposing of such waste. With that, effective economic measures

could be viable to downsize waste from banana production, including banana fiber extractions.

Apparent demand for engineered wood products and construction materials was extensive

among construction industries, and perhaps it may consume a large amount of banana stem waste

annually. Engineered wood products and construction materials such as plywood and gypsum

boards are often costly. Though gypsum boards are cheaper and more abundant than plywood,

many still cannot manage to purchase this item.

As a resolution, the researchers attempted to discover first-hand material that presumably

can be an alternative construction material for furniture, crafts, and structures, that are cost-

effective. This material is made of recycled raw banana fibers from banana pseudo stems pounded

and compressed with a bonding agent to produce a fiberboard.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to determine if banana fiberboard can be an alternative as a

constructional material. Specifically, this study tries to obtain the following:

1. Is banana fiberboard suitable as an alternative to construction materials?

2. Is it more durable than the other type of board used in the construction, given the material

used?

3. Is banana fiberboard more economical than different kinds of board materials?

Objectives of the Study

The inclusive aim of this study was to generate board-like material fabricated from banana

stem fibers that are cost-effective with good a-grade quality.

Notably, this study aims to:

1. Recognized the materials to be used with excellent performance.

2. Illustrate the optimal and feasible thickness of the fiberboard

3. Conduct trial-and-error experiments to assess the properties of the fiberboard

concerning:

● Density Test

● Workability Test

● Swelling and Water Absorption Test

● Durability Test
Formulation of Hypothesis

Banana fiberboard is composed of fibers extracted from banana pseudo stem, similar to a

standard board. It can be an alternative material for other kinds of physical boards. Nevertheless,

it is cost-effective, economical, and a high-grade product that can pass the standard physical test

for durability, making it decent for construction purposes.

Significance of the Study

To the Agricultural Sector,

The outcome of this study would greatly support the agricultural sector, especially the

banana plantation industry and farmers, given that the main component of the fiberboard will

utilize large amounts of agricultural waste and demand from the banana industry.

To the Environment,

This study would be an excellent opportunity to help the environment fight climate change,

considering that it will further consume more than 10% of the banana stem that is left to rot in the

banana production process. It can mitigate the methane gas produced by leftover banana materials,

lessening the greenhouse gas effect we are currently facing.

To the Potential Clients and Developers,

This study holds great potential in the construction industry if successful. It is a good

product that can be a great asset in the business and construction industry as it promotes an

innovative product that is environmentally wise and cost-effective. This ambitious product seeks

to serve affordable material for construction, and crafts with high-grade standards can produce

assertive incomes for the agricultural, industrial, construction, and business industry.

To the Future Researchers,

This study can serve as a reliable source of data that would improve and support their study

inclined to the effectiveness of banana stem fibers as a primary material in construction material

production. These studies would provide and guide future researchers in conducting related

studies.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study focuses on producing a-grade construction material from banana pseudostem

fibers that can be used in construction, furniture, and environmentally friendly and cost-effective

crafts.

The main interest of this research is to provide answers to the problems shown on the

statement of the problems.

1. Fiber extracted from the banana stem was used in manufacturing the board. The

banana stem used is from the waste material of banana production.

2. A bonding agent is used to form the board to its shape. In this case, epoxy is

chosen as a bonding agent because of its UV resistance, non-Toxicity, and lesser

 curing hours.

3. The boards came out in three different sizes 11”x15”x0.5”, 9.5”x7.5”x0.5”, and

11”x7”x0.5”. All boards will be tested through

● Density Test

● Workability Test

● Swelling and Water Absorption Test

● Basic Strength Test

However, the study is limited to:

1. The banana fiberboard was not subjected to undergo a nail head pull-through test

and screw holding test to determine its resistance rating because of limited access

to laboratory equipment.
Definition of terms

A-Grade - a term used to describe something as being of the highest quality or the best example

of something.

Banana Pseudostem - a part of the banana plant that looks like a trunk, consisting of a soft central

core and tightly wrapped up to 25 leaf sheaths.

Bioactive Compound - A type of chemical found in small amounts in plants and certain foods. It

has actions in the body that may promote good health.

Cardava - also spelled cardaba or kardaba, is a triploid hybrid banana cultivar originating from

the Philippines

Cost-effective - it is producing good results without costing much money.

Epoxy - is a synthetic polymer that is an adhesive, paint, or other material that contains a cyclic

three-atom ring. Epoxies can be found in coatings, resins, and many other substances used to

prevent corrosion.

Fiberboard - a material made by compressing fibers into stiff sheets

Gypsum Board - is an interior wall covering made of a sheet of gypsum sandwiched between

paper layers.

Lignocellulosic Fiber - also known as natural fibers, are fibers produced by geological processes

or from the bodies of plants or animals.

Macronutrients - the nutrients we need in larger quantities that provide us with energy.
Micronutrients - are primarily vitamins and minerals and are equally essential but consumed in

minimal amounts.

Musaceae - the banana family of plants (order Zingiberales) consists of 2 genera, Musa and

Ensete, with about 50 species native to Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Musa Sapientum - is the scientific name for banana, a widely cultivated species of banana trees

bearing compact hanging clusters of commercially important edible yellow fruit