Chapter 1-3
Chapter 1-3
Chapter 1-3
In this period of time, industry is at its peak in terms of worldwide demand which encounters
humongous difficulties in providing construction materials of in good quality, affordable cost and
conveniently available. The demand of raw materials rises as the demand of product does. On top of
that, those products produced will soon become waste and inevitable.
Waste is abundant throughout the nations and the amount of space left in the ground for
landfills is not enough. Because of the increase volume of waste every day, some were just dump
anywhere. The growing amount of waste accumulated from industrial waste, agricultural waste,
commercial waste, chemical waste, domestic waste, etc., has a huge impact on the environment.
Evidently, pollution is its effect, it’s noticeable and it’s very concerning. It may affect our health and
In contrary, humans will innovate, and countless discoveries will be made like even using
Fly ash is industrial waste material found in coal based thermal power plants. The estimates
prepared by Ministry of Power as well as Planning Commissions up to the year 2031-2032 indicate that
generation of fly ash during the said year would be around 900 million tons per year (Jain, 2011 and
R&D, 2012). The current annual production of fly ash worldwide is estimated around 600 million tons
(Uygunog, Topeu, Gencel, Brostow, 2012). Coconut fibre is another waste in agriculture industry and
is very abundant in tropical countries like Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Philippines.
2
In this study, the researchers come up to find studies which results to hypothesis in using
industrial and agricultural waste namely; fly ash and coconut fibre, and how it is beneficial to the
Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) is one of the most commonly used in the Philippines. CHB is a
rectangular size block and is produced with one or more hollow centers. These centers reduce the total
cross-sectional area of the block. The blocks are made from cast concrete; cement and aggregate,
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials which is used structurally in building
towers, bridges, roadways, tunnel, railways, dams, coastal defense structures, houses and many more.
It provides superior fire resistance than wooden construction and obtain strength over time. It is bonded
together with cement paste, usually Portland cement or other hydraulic cement that hardens as the time
pass by.
An aggregate is used for its economic factor, for it is cheaper than cement. The aggregate serves
to reduce any cracks and most importantly to provide strength to the overall composite material. Due
to its areas of application such as commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure in several
construction activities, specifically as a base material under foundations, roads, and railroads, to help
prevent differential settling under road or structures, and serves as low-cost extender that binds more
Aggregates are a broad category of granular materials such as crushed stone, stone and gravel.
Since aggregate is commonly considered inert filler in concrete, which allocates 60 to 80 percent of the
volume, and 70 to 85 percent of the weight. Although it is considered inert filler, it is a necessary
3
component that defines the thermal and elastic property and dimensional stability of concrete.
Aggregate is classified as two different types, coarse and fine. The compressive aggregate strength is
The shape and texture of aggregate affects the properties of fresh concrete more than hardened
concrete. The surface texture of aggregate can be either smooth or rough. A smooth surface can improve
workability, yet a rougher surface generates a stronger bond between the paste and the aggregate
creating a higher strength. Concrete is more workable when smooth and rounded aggregate is used
instead of rough angular or elongated aggregate. Crushed stone produces much more angular and
elongated aggregates, which have a higher surface-to-volume ratio, better bond characteristics but
Fine aggregates generally consist of natural sand or crushed stone with most particles passing
through 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and predominantly retained on 75mm (No. 200) sieve. In this study, fly
ash were used as partial replacement of fine aggregates to be used in concrete hollow blocks to improve
Fly ash is the finely divided residue obtained from combustion of pulverized coal produced by
coal-fired electric and steam generating plants or thermal power plants. Fly ash is a pozzolan, a
substance containing aluminous and siliceous material. There are two types of fly ash commonly used
in concrete namely: class C and class F. For this study, class F were used due to its pozzolanic behavior
that results when lime or Portland cement hydration reacts to form cementitious products.
Fineness of the fly ash will have an influence on pozzolanic and workability of concrete that
can affect the water content and air entraining admixture demand in concrete, because fly ash can be
formed as a cement in the presence of water, that it will be suitable as a prime material in blended
cement, mosaic tiles, and hollow blocks, among all other building materials.
4
Coconut fibre is extracted from the fibrous outer covering of the fruit of the coconut palm
contains lignin, a complex woody chemical. There are two types of coconut fibers, brown fiber
extracted from matured coconuts and white fibers extracted from the immature ones. Brown fibers are
thick, strong and have high abrasion than white fibers that leads the researchers to use brown fibers in
this study as reinforcement. Also, several studies show the good effect of coconut fibre as
5
1.2 Significance of the Study
The study of Concrete Hollow Blocks incorporating fly ash as partial replacement of fine
aggregates and coconut fibre as concrete reinforcement will give extra knowledge to the following
group of people on how this material can still be useful in many ways:
Society
A part of the community specifically: the individuals including the researchers, consumers,
producers and many more. For the consumers and producers, because of its convenient low-cost
construction material. For every individual in the society that can provide additional knowledge and
awareness.
Construction Industry
This includes the entrepreneurs, contractors, architects and engineers provide new techniques
of good quality of structural work without spending too much raw materials since it is sufficient and
Industrial Society
This includes thermal power generating plants which uses coal. They can make the disposal of
Future Researchers
Graduate students, undergraduate students, professionals and many more whose intrigue and
interested to further research and conduct the same study and improve some necessary methods to be
done.
6
1.4 Statement of the Problem
The research focuses on studying the effect of the agricultural and industrial waste namely; fly
ash and coconut fibre. Fly ash as a partial replacement of fine aggregate and coconut fibre as a concrete
In connection with this, the researchers seek answers to the following questions:
1. How effective does the fly ash as partial fine aggregates and coconut fibre as concrete
2. Are the mixtures of concrete hollow block with different percentage of fly ash and coconut
a. Ratio 1:7 of cement-aggregate; contains 0% coconut fiber by cement mass and 0% fly ash
by aggregate mass
b. Ratio 1:7 of cement-aggregate; contains 0.75% coconut fiber by cement mass and 80% fly
c. Ratio 1:7 of cement-aggregate; contains 1.0% coconut fiber by cement mass and 60% fly
d. Ratio 1:7 of cement-aggregate; contains 1.25% coconut fiber by cement mass and 40% fly
7
1.5 Objectives of the Study
An extensive experimental work must be carried out in order to achieve the aims and purpose
of this study.
1. To identify which type of the mixture containing different percentage of fly ash and
2. To determine the workability of the mixtures containing different percentage of fly ash and
coconut fibre.
3. To distinguish which among the type of the mixture presents a higher compressive strength
at 80% fly ash with 0.75% coconut fibre, 60% fly ash with 1.0% coconut fibre, and 40%
The scope of the project study is to produce the design mix for Concrete Hollow Blocks using
the fly ash as partial replacement of fine aggregates and coconut fiber as concrete reinforcement. In
order to ensure the quality of CHB, it was tested based on its strength and durability factors. The study
covers the compressive strength, workability and water absorption of the design mix.
2. Other properties that includes (creep; flexural strength) due to the unavailability of equipment
and apparatuses
8
1.7 Definition of Terms
with hollow centers composed of aggregates bonded together with cement paste that hardens over time
FINE AGGREGATE. Generally, consist of natural sand or crushed stone and fly ash with most
MIXTURE. A product of mixing different kinds of material bonded together with different percentage
9
CHAPTER II
The chapter presents the related literature and studies from both local and foreign sources. This
also includes the ideas, finished thesis, journals, generalizations or conclusions, methodologies and
Manlapas (2016) and was published in Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research. The study was
about the significant effect of coconut fibres in the compressive strength of the concrete hollow block
and is being compared that blocks without fibre had lower compressive than concrete blocks with coco
coir fibres. Test results of concrete blocks with coconut fibres has 6% and 8% compressive strength
which yielded a higher compressive strength and passed the standards set by ASTM C129 for non-load
bearing CHB.
In the present year, Sumil J and Dr. M.S. Ravi Kumar (2018) studied different types of fibres
such as Glass, Nylon, and Coconut Fibres on the compressive strength of Concrete Hollow Blocks. It
was observed after the compression testing of the CHB with different fibres of different percentage that
the compressive strength of the CHB with glass, nylons and coconut fibres increase up to 1% fiber
content and thereafter is decreased. For 0.5% of glass fibre, nylon fibre, and coconut fibre, the
compressive strength was observed to be 4.17 MPa, 4.01 MPa, and 4.05 MPa respectively. For 0.75%
of glass, nylon and coconut fibres, the compressive strength was observed to be 4.25 MPa, 4.23 MPa,
and 4.24 MPa respectively. The maximum compressive strength of 4.41 MPa, 4.6 MPa, and 4.3 MPa
was observed for 1% of glass fibre, nylon fibre and coconut fibre. The compressive strength goes on
decreasing with further increase in percentage of fibres. The compressive strength was obtained as 4.22
MPa, 4.31 MPa, 4.17 MPa for 1.25% of glass fibres, nylon fibres and coconut fibres respectively. 4.13
10
MPa, 4.14 MPa, 3.83 MPa was obtained as the compressive strength for 1.5% of glass fibre, nylon
fibre, and coconut fibre respectively in the concrete hollow block at 28 days. Therefore, the optimum
percentage of glass fibres, nylon fibres and coconut fibres are 1.0% and the percentage increase of
strength was found as 16% for glass fibre addition, 21% for nylon fibre addition and 13% for coconut
fibres respectively when compared with the concrete hollow blocks without fibres.
Another study from the International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology by
Sanjay Kumar Ahirwar, Prof. Kirti Chandral, Prof. Manindra Kumar Singh (2017) show that the
researchers have worked on fly ash replacing the cement in concrete. Researchers have proved that 5%
and 10% replacement of cement by fly ash gives better result. Thus, it increases the tensile strength as
well as compressive strength by using coconut fibre. The results were obtained that coconut coir is used
in two lengths and two proportions of 6mm and 12mm length and 0.15% and 0.25% respectively. 0.25%
of coir fiber used with 12mm length gives better result for both 5% and 10% replacement of cement.
The research of R.K. Watile, S.K. Deshmukh and H.C. Muley (2014), studied about the brick
for sustainable housing development. The result of the study represents that the strength of bricks with
increasing fly ash content increases with the age and the water absorption of bricks. Moreover, the
Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) utilized as reinforcing material plays vital role with increase
in percentage of fly ash. Its influence made an increase in compressive strength, lesser water absorption
and density reduce up to 20% comparing with initial density of brick. In their study, the use of natural
reinforcing fibre for considering economy has been recommended as more experimentation required
Subsequently, the study of Majid Ali, Anthony Liu, Hou Sou and Nawawi Chouw (2012)
shows that the increase of fibre content has resulted in a higher damping ratio and a lower fundamental
frequency. Coir Fibre Reinforced Concrete (CFRC) with 5cm long fibres have higher damping as
11
2.2 Related Studies
properties of concrete mixes in which fine aggregates (sand) was partially replaced with the class F fly
ash. Fine aggregate was replaced with the five percentages (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) of class F fly
ash by weight. The test result showed that the compressive strength of fly ash concrete mixes with 10%
to 50% fine aggregate replacement with fly ash were higher than control mix aggregate at all ages.
Also, the compressive strength of concrete mixes was increasing with increase in fly ash percentages.
This increase in strength due to replacement of fine aggregate with fly ash was attributed to pozzolanic
action of fly ash, splitting tensile strength also increased with increase in percentage of fly ash as
replacement of five aggregates. The tests on flexural strength and modulus of elasticity also showed
After a year, a research study by Dr. J.B. Behera, Dr. B.D. Nayak, Dr. H.S. Ray and Dr. B.
Sarangi (2004) examined the use of sintered fly ash aggregate in concrete as a partial replacement of
granite aggregates. They conclude that in addition to light weight characteristics. The fly ash concrete
possesses strength and deformation characteristics similar to concrete with natural granite aggregate.
Relatively, Gao Li- Xiong, Yaoyan and Wang Ling, from China Building Materials Academy
in Beijing found that lightweight aggregate concrete made with sintered fly ash aggregates showed
where lightweight concrete is defined as a concrete that has been made lighter than the conventional
the concrete made by replacing the usual material aggregate by lightweight aggregates. From the
experimental investigation, it was found that the compressive strength was increased for fly ash
12
aggregate concrete cubes with cement fly ash proportion 15:85 when compared to the control of
In the succeeding year, a study of Nim Nadzri, J.B. Shamsul, M.N. Mazlee (2011) focused on
six different percentage of coconut fibre to cement weight. Then fly ash was added in the mixture as
replacement of sand. The weight percent starts from the reference sample which was 0 wt.% of coconut
fibre then increased to 3 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 9 wt.%, 12 wt.%, and 15 wt.%. all the raw materials were added
in a mechanical mixer until slurry mixture was formed. It was indicated that the composite cement
reinforced with 9 wt.% of coconut fibre after 14 days has the highest compressive strength which is
58.98 MPa and the lowest compressive that is 21.19 MPa which is obtained from the composite cement
In the work, an addition of 15 wt.% of coconut fibre has shown lowest value of density (1735
kg/m3) while reference samples show both lowest values in moisture content (3.64%) and water
absorption (0.79) compared to cement reinforced coconut fibre composite, cement reinforced with 9
wt.% coconut fibre composite gave a better mechanical properties compared to others with highest
values in compressive strength (58.98 MPa). From this research, it was found that the coconut fibre can
be used as reinforcement and fly ash can be applied as substitute of sand in the development of coconut
(2013) stated that self-weight of building units, construction time and sound workmanship are key
factors affecting the quality and cost effectiveness of masonry construction and by having interlocking
blocks the requirement of skilled workers can be reduced. The self-weight of the structure represents a
very large portion of the design load. The researchers recommended various lightweight materials such
as saw dust, straw, sintered fly ash or industrial cinder, extended clay or shale, expanded polystyrene
beads etc. are being used in producing lightweight blocks. Polystyrene beads were chosen as partial
13
replacement of fine aggregate due to their inherent lightweight (density 16-27 kg/m3) and good thermal
insulation properties. Such lighter units also have many desirable aspects such as more economical in
transportation, and easiness in its own site and production handling, the requirement of less amount of
mortar for the joints and a speedy construction. Therefore, it is favorable to have a lighter cement block,
Recently, a study from M.S. Krishna Hygrieve, I. Siva Kishore and KJB Chan (2017) states
that by using fly ash, the cost and use of cement will be reduced. As well as the pollution in environment
will be reduced. The experimental work has helped to know the other properties of fly ash concrete and
to develop various mix designs. Which come up with the results that Ordinary Portland Cement
concrete is potential by the usage of fly ash, workability of concrete will be improved, the compressive
strength of concrete will decrease with the increase of fly ash, from 7 to 28 days early strength of
concrete is reduced, and flexural strength at concrete decreases with increase of fly ash.
14
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
In this chapter the discussion of systematic procedure and process is presented to distinguish
the possible effects of fly ash and coconut fibre to concrete hollow blocks in chronological order:
Research Approach, Data Collection Instruments, Data Collection Process and Data Analysis
Procedure.
The experimental method is used in this research study that originally aims to investigate the
effects of fly ash as partial replacement of fine aggregate and coconut fibre as concrete reinforcement
In relation with this, there are four types of specimen would be used. Mixture I or know as the
conventional CHB mix which has cement, water, and sand. The Mixture II which has 80% fly ash as
partial replacement of fine aggregates and 0.75% coconut fibre by cement mass. Mixture III which has
60% fly ash and 1.0% coconut fibre and Mixture IV which has 40% fly ash and 1.25% coconut fibre.
The dependent variable would be the result of the experiment while the independent variable
would be the type of concrete hollow block mixture. To validate the objectives, the researchers
3.2 Materials
All throughout the experiment, the materials used in the study include cement, sand, fly ash
Coconut husk from the house of Bulalaque, Piogo, Terol, Tinapay, and Villocido are gathered
and processed to primarily extract the fibres. The outer most layer of the husk was removed and then
divided into small pieces. These small pieces of coconut husk were submerged with water into a
15
container for approximately 10 days and absorbed water to loosen the fibres. After the said time frame,
the materials were taken out from the container, fibres were separated by means of simultaneous
pounding with wooden hammer or by pulling out using bare hands. Then lastly, the coconut fibres were
On the other hand, fly ash were collected in KEPCO Philippines Incorporation from the City
of Naga, Cebu. Fly ash as partial replacement to aggregates is sieved based on the specification of fine
The other materials such as cement and sand which are available locally are used. Specifically,
the ordinary Portland cement is selected as widely used in general construction. The sand should
The main method used in collecting the data is an experimental method. Other clerical tools
such as coming from the internet, library references and testing method are used for collecting more
This includes the systematic procedures and processes performed in order to reach the goals
and objectives stated in this study. Comprehensive methodological procedures are to be followed. In
the preparation for the specimen, materials are weighed using a digital weighing scale for precise
results.
The molder was cleaned in order to free from dust and cement that hardened to the molder
through time. Afterwards, mineral oil was coated to the mold to prevent adhesion of concrete and leave
out ready for casting. The design mix of dry ingredients like cement, sand, fly ash and coconut fibre
where initially mixed until a satisfying homogeneous mix was achieved. It was then added with water
until a desired consistency of the mixture was reached. In order to determine the degree of workability
of concrete block, slump test was conducted for the slump measurement. (Refer to Appendix A) The
16
In the process of making the CHB, compaction is done by the machine’s mechanism. After
achieving the desired compactness of concrete blocks, it was removed from the molder with care to
For its curing process, the specimen was covered with tarpaulin. It was kept damped, shaded
and continually sprayed with water for 7 days, 21 days, 28 days in order to effectively cure.
For this study, there are two types of testing conducted namely; fresh concrete and hardened
concrete test. The fresh concrete test was conducted right after the concrete mixing where the slump
The hardened concrete test has two types, the destructive and non-destructive test. For the
destructive test, it involved compressive strength test while non-destructive test includes water
absorption test and moisture content. (Refer to Appendix C for water absorption and moisture content)
The compressive strength test is carried out according to ASTM C129 for non-load bearing
concrete wall and using the CHB specimen (40 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) cured for 7days, 21 days, 28 days.
The specimens are tested using the digital compressive machine at DPWH 2nd District, Lawaan, Talisay
City.
On the other hand, for non-destructive test, water absorption test is necessary in order to
determine the ability of the concrete block to absorb water and moisture content is used to determine
the quantity of water in the concrete blocks. The specimen to be tested is in CHB form (40cm x 20cm
17
3.5 Data Analysis Procedure
A procedure is to be followed in analyzing the result from the testing. Raw data are obtained
to convert into an information for answering the questions and finalize theories.
Criteria of Rejection
The table below shows two tables. The table 1 presents the minimum requirement of
compressive strength for the non-load bearing units and the strength varies from the average of 3 units
and individual units. The table 2 presents the compressive strength for the concrete masonry units to be
a load bearing. For this study, the result of the testing is to be based on the compressive strength under
Table 3-1 ASTM C129, Compressive Strength for Non-load Bearing Units
Table 3-2 ASTM C90, Compressive Strength for Load Bearing Units
18
Flowchart
19
BIBLIOGRAPHY
fiber reinforced composite cement with the addition of fly ash.” Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based
V. Manohar and P. Polu Raju. “Comparative Study on Compressive Strength of Fly Ash Concrete.”
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology. Volume 8, pp. 1668-1676, Issue 4, April
2017. <https://www.iaeme.com/MasterAdmin/uploadfolder/IJCIET_08_04_188-
2/IJCIET_08_04_188-2>.
<http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.890.2105&rep=rep1&type=pdf>.
T. Uygunog, I. B. Topcu, O. Gencel & W. Browstow. “The effect of fly ash content and types of
<https://lapom.unt.edu/publications/pdf%20articles/Lisa/The%20effect%20of%20fly%20ash%20cont
ent%20and%20types%20of%20aggregates%20on%20the%20properties%20of%20PCIBs.pdf>.
R.K. Watile, S.K. Deshmukh, H.C. Muley. “Interlocking Brick for Sustainable Housing
<https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.ijssbt.org/volume2.2/pdf/
10.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjgkMOG7PTeAhUX148KHbRYDrAQFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0VA
nCjEB6AfWdooarkM9fa>.
Majid Ali, Anthony Liu, Hpu Sou, Nawawi Chouw. “Mechanical and dynamic properties of coconut
<https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.academia.edu/17539220/
20
Mechanical_and_dynamic_properties_of_coconut_fibre_reinforced_concrete&ved=2ahUKEwiq3Lqg
9vTeAhUVVH0KHYpKCvIQFjACegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw23I9IJAV4FP5K9nBI2ITIC>.
Majid Ali. “Coconut Fibre – A Versatile Material and its Applications in Engineering.” Journal of
Civil Engineering and Construction Technology. Vol. 2(9). pp. 189-197. 2 September 2011.
<https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.academicjournals.org/ap
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Junaid Ul Islam and Zulfuqar Bin Rashid. “Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate with Fly Ash and
It's Compressive Strength.” 2018 International Journal of Engineering Development and Research
<https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR
1801065.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiImqvf-
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Swati Sucharita Rout*, Monoswi Manini Sahoo and Rupashree Ragini Sahoo. “Influences of fly ash
and coir fiber on strength properties of soft soil.” Research Journal of Engineering Sciences. Vol.
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APPENDICES
Place the mold on a smooth, non-absorbent, level base plate large enough
to accommodate both the slumped concrete and the slump cone.
Fill the mold with prepared concrete mix into a quarter depth layer.
Tamp each layer with 25 strokes of the rounded ended of the tamping rod in a
uniform manner over the entire cross section of the mold. For the subsequent
layer, the tamping should penetrate the underlying layer.
Remove the excess concrete from the top of the cone, using
tamping rod as a screed.
Clean away the mortar or water leaked out between the mold and the base plate.
Lift the mold from the concrete immediately and slowly in vertical direction.
Measure the amount of slump as the difference between the height of the
mold and that of height point of the specimen being tested.
23
Appendix B: Mixing (Mixture I, Mixture II, Mixture III, Mixture IV)
Note: For step no.2, Mixture II, Mixture III and Mixture IV of sand would be
partially replaced with different percentage of fly ash and added with different
percentage of coconut fibre.
Add water and continue mixing until the mixture is evenly hydrated.
Place the concrete into the block machine and compact it by the weight of the
upper mold head.
24
Appendix C: Water Absorption Test
25
26