Analysis on the Compressive Strength of Fabricated

Interlocking Block Using Fiber Glass Strips as Admixture

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

With the increase in human population, the availability of many resources is becoming

scarce as the days go by. Individuals have the increased need to acquire basic needs, own

property and live a luxurious life. Due to this fact that there has been an increase in the

demand for goods and services over the years (Heizer and Render, 2011). Owning a home is

among the dreams of a human. This has however proven to be difficult due to the rise in the

cost of factors of production. This includes factors such as land, raw materials and labor. As a

result, building houses has become an expensive activity.

However, there has been an advancement on the process of building and construction.

The use of interlocking hollow blocks has tremendously reduced the cost of building. It is cheap

to buy or manufacture these blocks as compared to buying commercialized hollow blocks for

construction. In addition, they require the use of minimal amount of cement. This in turn

reduces the cost of construction. They produce relatively strong buildings as compared to other

modes of construction. The buildings that are constructed using this technology are more

attractive as compared to buildings constructed using other methods.

Friendly fiber material that is suitable for a wide range of construction projects. Its high

thermal resistance, sustainability, resistance to water, fire retardancy and soundproofing

properties make it an attractive option for builders and homeowners looking for an alternative to

traditional insulation materials. Its cost and weight may be a limiting factor in certain projects,

but the benefits may well justify it for others.

This study is going to show that these traditional binders can be replaced by environmentally

friendly and sustainable alternatives from unutilized materials. This study tends to prove the

compressive strength of interlocking block through adding materials that has a strong factors in

considering the construction cost specifically in CHB.

Research Question

1. Is there any significant difference between the compressive strength of a 400x200x100

commercialized Interlocking block and Fiber Glass Strips interlocking block?

A. Commercialized Interlocking Block

B. 0.5% Glass Fiber Strips + 7% cement + 2% aggregates

C. 2% Glass Fiber Strips + 7% cement + 2% aggregates

D. 3% Glass Fiber Strips + 7% cement + 2% aggregates

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Fiber Mat Strips
 Commercialized  Compressive  Compressive
Interlocking Strength Strength
Block
 This paradigm shows how the researchers formulate the study. First is the input of the independent

variable were in the fiber mat strip as added mixture in interlocking blocks and commercialized interlocking

blocks. For the process, the compressive strength of block or the dependent variables were in the

compressive strength makes changes on these two variables. And the output where it indicates the final

outcome of the study.

Objective of the Study

This study aims to determine the utilization of Fiber Mat in fabricating interlocking block and

advancement of technology through adding Fiber Mat strip in concrete design mix.

Specifically, it aims to achieve the following objectives:

1.To determine the strength of Fiber Mat strip in concrete mix in fabricating interlocking block in

compressive test.

2. To evaluate the possible quantity of the design concrete mix proportion of Fiber Mat Strips with

regards to the cheaper cost.

3. To ensure the integrity and its stability at different instances of the interlocking block

Scope and Delimitation

The study's primary focus is on the influence or result of compressive strength of

interlocking block that are being tested in the laboratory which are the compressive strength test.

And the study aims to target a cost-effective and durable way of producing interlocking block.The

result of these two significant tests are listed, developed and derived.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This section contains reviews and exploration from various related literature's. In addition, findings from some

study are started to provide background information for this study.

Interlocking blocks made with fiber have been the subject of several studies in recent years, as they

offer several potential benefits over traditional building materials. One such breakthrough in the construction

industry is the interlocking of blocks. Interlocking blocks are an improved form of traditional clay bricks. Each brick is

designed to seal itself to other surrounding bricks without the use of mortar.

The quest for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials, to solve problem of

material scarcity and higher cost, has led to the persistent use of discarded and local materials for producing

cementitious composites. This study developed plastic fiber-strengthened interlocking bricks suitable for load bearing

applications. Thirty-two interlocking bricks were prepared with a mix ratio of 1:3 and with using ceramics and laterite as

partial replacement of river sand at 0, 50, and 100%. The proportion of plastic fibers was 5 and 10%. The work ability of

fresh mixes, and the compressive strength, water absorption, and micro scale characteristics of the hardened

interlocking bricks were explored. Interlocking bricks reinforced with 10% plastic fiber and containing 50% of both

laterite and ceramics yielded 65 mm slump. Higher water absorptive was more observed in samples having higher

laterite content. The study recommended interlocking brick production using ceramics and plastic fibers as laid out in

the experimental process.

Interlocking blocks are accelerating the construction of low cost houses in Kenya, with more builders

embracing the technique that lowers building costs by up to 60%.The technique involves the production of bricks that

interlock with each other during construction – thereby eliminating the need for mortar to bind the building.The

interlocking blocks are made using soil block press (SBP) machines that compress a mixture of sifted soil (the main

raw material), water and cement to produce solid blocks.Cement, which makes up 3% of the blocks, is mixed with any

type of soil (except black cotton soil) and water. The mixture is then compressed to produce interlocking

blocks.Cement to soil ratio varies depending on the soil type and can be determined by testing the available soil for

shrinkage.

In 2015 in the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Civil Engineering, Construction and Materials

Sciences titled "Interlocking Blocks from Recycled Plastics and Fiber Reinforced Concrete: An Eco-Friendly Building

Material" examines the feasibility of using interlocking blocks made from recycled plastics and fiber-reinforced concrete
as an eco-friendly building material. The study found that the blocks had high compressive strength, good thermal

insulation properties, and good resistance to fire.

Another study published in the journal "Construction and Building Materials" on 2015 titled "Fiber-reinforced

interlocking blocks for low-cost housing in developing countries" looked at the potential of using fiber-reinforced

interlocking blocks for low-cost housing in developing countries. The study found that the blocks had good compressive

and flexural strength, good durability and resistance to weathering, and that they were a cost-effective alternative to

traditional building materials. Published in the International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, examines the

feasibility of using interlocking blocks made from bamboo-fiber reinforced concrete for construction. The study found

that the interlocking blocks had good compressive strength, density and water absorption characteristics, and could be

used as an alternative to traditional building materials in rural areas.

On Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management in 2015, examines the compressive strength

of interlocking soil-cement blocks containing different percentage of rice husk ash and fiber. The study found that the

addition of rice husk ash and fiber to the soil-cement blocks significantly improves its compressive strength by 40%

compared to normal soil-cement blocks.

In summary, literature on interlocking blocks using fiber in 2015 suggests that such blocks are a promising option as an

eco-friendly building material. The fibers used in the blocks could be from various sources such as plastic, bamboo,

rice husk and so on. They have good compressive strength, thermal insulation properties, good durability and

resistance to weathering, and some of them offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional building materials.

The Department of Civil Engineering of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia shows that the addition of

reinforcement fibers to the concrete interlocking blocks improved its compressive strength by 20-40% comparing to the

normal concrete blocks. Additionally, the study showed that the reinforcement fibers were significantly improved the

impact strength and flexural strength of the blocks. Additionally, there have been some study that focused on the

thermal insulation performance of interlocking blocks made with fiber, which found that these blocks had good thermal

insulation properties, which can help to reduce energy consumption and improve the overall energy efficiency of a

building. The performance of fiber-reinforced interlocking blocks in construction. The interlocking blocks were made

from a mixture of cement, sand and water, and reinforced with polypropylene fibers. The blocks were used to construct

walls and tested for compressive strength, water absorption, and flexural strength. The results showed that the fiber-

reinforced blocks had higher compressive strength, lower water absorption, and improved flexural strength compared
to non-reinforced blocks. Concluded that the fiber-reinforced interlocking blocks have potential for use in the

construction industry, and that the addition of fibers to the blocks improves their performance, making them suitable for

use in load-bearing walls and structures.

The study aimed to investigate the behavior of interlocking stabilized soil blocks reinforced with polypropylene

fibers in order to determine its properties and the effect of adding fibers on its mechanical strength. The study found

that the addition of fibers to the stabilized soil blocks improved its compressive strength, flexural strength and impact

resistance. Also found that the blocks reinforced with fibers have less water absorption and lower shrinkage compared

to the non-reinforced blocks. It concluded that the use of polypropylene fibers in the manufacturing of interlocking

stabilized soil blocks could be a good solution for the construction of load-bearing walls and structures in rural areas

and for low-cost housing.

Interlocking blocks using fiber have been the subject of several studies in recent years, with a focus on their

potential benefits in construction. These studies have focused on various aspects of the blocks, such as their

mechanical properties, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness.

In 2016, a study published in the Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials titled "Experimental study on

mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced interlocking blocks" evaluates the compressive and flexural strength of fiber-

reinforced interlocking blocks made from fly ash, cement, and fibers. The study found that the addition of fibers to the

blocks significantly improves their compressive and flexural strength.

Another study published in 2017 in the Construction and Building Materials journal titled "Experimental study of

interlocking stabilized soil blocks reinforced with polypropylene fibers" aimed to investigate the behavior of interlocking

stabilized soil blocks reinforced with polypropylene fibers. The study found that the addition of fibers to the stabilized

soil blocks improved its compressive strength, flexural strength and impact resistance, with less water absorption and

lower shrinkage compared to the non-reinforced blocks.

A study published in 2020 in the Journal of Cleaner Production titled "Durability of interlocking blocks made

from waste fibers and recycled plastic" examines the durability and environmental performance of interlocking blocks

made from waste fibers such as banana stem and recycled plastic. The study found that the blocks had good
mechanical properties and improved durability, and that the use of waste fibers and recycled plastic in the production of

the blocks had a positive environmental impact, reducing waste and emissions.

Fiber reinforced interlocking blocks in construction. The study found that the fiber-reinforced blocks had higher

compressive strength, lower water absorption, and improved flexural strength compared to non-reinforced blocks.

In 2020 in the Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems: " Mechanical Properties of Interlocking

Blocks Made from Recycled Plastic Waste and Coconut Fiber" . The researchers have investigated the potential of

using interlocking blocks made from a mixture of recycled plastic waste and coconut fiber as an eco-friendly building

material. The study found that the blocks had high compressive strength and good resistance to fire. Overall, the

literature suggests that interlocking blocks made with fiber in construction in the recent years can offer several benefits

over traditional building materials. The fibers used in the blocks could be from various sources such as plastic,

bamboo, rice husk, tire, agricultural waste, fly ash and so on. They have shown increased compressive strength,

flexural strength, density and improved durability, and they also offer cost-effective and sustainable alternative to

traditional building materials. Fiber can offer several benefits over traditional building materials. They have improved

compressive strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, thermal insulation, durability, and have a lower

environmental impact. They are also cost-effective and can be produced using waste fibers and recycled materials,

which makes them suitable for low-cost housing and rural area constructions.

In a study published on Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, in 2019, the researchers examined

the mechanical properties of interlocking blocks using coconut fiber as reinforcement. They found that the addition of

coconut fibers improved the compressive strength, flexural strength and impact strength of the blocks. In summary, the

literature suggests that interlocking blocks made with fiber in construction from 2015 to present can offer several

benefits over traditional building materials such as increased strength, improved durability, and better thermal

insulation. Fibers used in the blocks are from various sources such as plastic, bamboo, rice husk, tire and agricultural

waste and so on. They also offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional building materials.
 METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study used a Fabricated Fiber Mat Interlocking Block to analyze the compressive

strength of a 400mm in length by 200mm in height of block cured within 24 hours with the following

solution (Table 1) of Fiber Glass Strips and the control group.

Table 1: Treatment
Treatments Amount of Fiber Mat Strips & Design Concrete Mix

T0 0% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement + 2% of Aggregates

T1 0.5% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement + 2% of Aggregates

T2 1% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement + 2% of Aggregates

T3 1.5% of Glass Fiber 1Strips + 7% of Cement + 2% of Aggregates

Amount of Resin Solution

Table 2: Interlocking Block Layout
Amount of Fiber Mat Strips & Design Concrete

Mix Replication

Control- 0% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement

S1 S2 S3
+ 2% of Aggregates

T1-0.5% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement +

S1 S2 S3
2% of Aggregates

T2-1% of Glass Fiber Strips + 7% of Cement +

S1 S2 S3
2% of Aggregates

T3- 1.5% of Glass Fiber 1Strips + 7% of Cement

S1 S2 S3
+ 2% of Aggregates
Statistical Tools

This study used Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as a statistical tool in

interpreting the gathered data regarding the compressive strength of a Fabricated Glass Fiber Strip

Interlocking Block cured within 24 hours.