Concrete is listed as one of the most widely used building materials, its production is 10times more than

of steel. Cement in concrete consist of almost 7 to 14 %. Think of how much cement is produced. The
continuous production of cement is not that environmentally friendly. Its production, specially the
portland cement releases tons of carbon dioxide. It is observed that 8% of the global emission of carbon
footprint comes to the cement process. Meanwhile, The Philippines has a lot of land areas, wherein
bamboo and banana grows easily, the country produced 20million tons of bamboo, while 9.1 million
metric tons of banana. The thing is, some of the parts like branches, and leaves of this materials ends up
in landfill and are being burned turning into agricultural waste. Hence, we the researchers look for the
possibility of using some of this agricultural waste as useful as it can be. We discovered that in the
Portland cement, there is this pozzolanic reaction which is also present to different materials, including
the bamboo and banana leaves. On the other hand, this experimental study aims to assess the
effectiveness of bamboo leaf ash with the banana leaf ash in establishing mixtures with high durability

Research design

This study is a pre-experimental research design, wherein a subject or a group is observed after a
treatment has been applied, in order to test whether the treatment has the potential to cause
change or demonstrate if this given treatment produce positive results under ideal conditions. IN
the case of our research, we will test if the normal mix or conventional mix of concrete which is
our control group has a difference in terms of durability compare to the experimental mix of
concrete that contains the different percentage variations of bamboo and banana leaf ash we
will be having.
Step by step procedure
For no. 1 : The researchers will prepare the materials needed, as well as the raw
materials, bamboo and banana leaves. We are going to collect it and let it sun dry for 24
hrs before burning them separately. After the burning process, we will gathered the
residual ash and sieve it through 90micron meter sieve to get a fine bamboo and banana
leaf ash similar to cement.

For no 2 : The bamboo and banana leaf ash remains after the burning process, it
will be added to the cement in different percentage as presented in this research. The
percentage by weight of the mixture of bamboo leaf ash with cement was 0% (control
specimen), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The material mixtures presented in table 2 is
designed according to the 28days target strength of 25 N/mm², having the ratio of 1:1:2
(cement: sand: aggregates). The water-cement ratio is 0.5, for reinforced cement
concrete.

For no 3 : Into the molding, we are going to use a 150mm diameter by 300mm
height cylindrical mold to cast total of thirty concrete samples.
For curing, the molded samples should be stored for 24hrs and must not
be exposed to sunlight. After 24 hrs since molding, we will then remove the molds and
cure them for in a water storage tanks.
The researchers will follow the ASTM C31 Standard practice for making
and curing concrete test specimens in the field to make sure it is done correctly
For no. 4 : Since the study is dealing with experimental research, tests are to be
conducted to gather data. This research will conduct a slump cone test to the fresh
concrete to see the degree of workability or consistency of the concrete.
Another test is the compressive strength test to test its durability and strength, to
see if the two groups differ on it. the samples are subjected to be tested at 14 and
28days of curing. The targeted strength in this research is 25 N/mm2

Sampling technique

Here is presented our table no. 1, the number of specimens and curing days for
test. We have total of 30 samples, with different percentage variations of the bamboo
and banana leaf ash. Six of the samples are with 0% content of the bamboo and banana
leaf ash, which is our control. Also, 6 other samples for each varations of 5,10,15, and
20%. Three samples will be tested on the 14 and 28th day of curing.

The next table shows the mix design for concrete replaced with various percent
of bamboo and banana leaf, our design mix proportion. Our target strength is 25N/mm2
at the 28th day of curing, we came up with these values using the proportion 1:1:2
(cement-sand-aggregates). It is computed via percentage by weight. The volume of the
cylinder divided by 4 multipled to the dry volume (1.54) then multiply to the density of
materials, 1440 for cement 1660 for sand and 1800 for aggregates. Since the bamboo
and banana leaves are to be partially substitute into the cement – we subtracted
5,10,15,20% of each to the 0% value of cement.

The researchers will follow the ASTM C39; standard test method for compressive
strength of cylindrical concrete specimens for correct process.