Abstract
Coir has been known as a potential natural fiber for many sustainable construction material developments due to its wide availability and sustainable resource of coconut tree. This research study aims to investigate the flexural, compressive and tensile properties of concrete incorporating coir fiber and to find the fiber content which gives optimum results. In this study, coir concrete specimens were cast and tested with variations of fiber content of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by weight of aggregates. Flexural test was conducted based on SNI 4431:2011, compressive test was conducted based on SNI 1974:2011 and tensile test was conducted based on SNI 2491:2014. Slump tests and unit weight showed reduced values when fiber content was increased. Flexural, compressive and tensile strengths of coir-concrete at a 28-day curing were optimum for the variation with 0.25% fiber content. Compressive strength of control concrete at 28 days was approximately 23 MPa while BS-0.25 was 27.5 MPa. Flexural strength of control concrete was 5 MPa while BS-0.25 was 6 MPa. Tensile strength of control concrete was 3 MPa while BS-0.25 was 2.5 MPa. Results from the study showed that the presence of 0.25% fiber (by total weight of aggregate) in the concrete gives approximately 19% improvement in 28 days compressive strength and flexural strength.
Highlights
Coir fibers or coconut fibers are extracted from the husk of coconut fruit
According to 2015 data from Indonesian Directorate General of Estate Crops [1], the total area of coconut plantation in Indonesia is 3.585.599 Ha, with smallholder plantations having the biggest percentage (98.98%) while the rest is shared between government and private plantations
This study aims to investigate the flexural, compressive and tensile strength of coir-concrete and to find the fiber content which gives optimum results
Summary
Coir fibers or coconut fibers are extracted from the husk of coconut fruit. Coconut is a versatile plant, which grows mostly in tropical areas. According to 2015 data from Indonesian Directorate General of Estate Crops [1], the total area of coconut plantation in Indonesia is 3.585.599 Ha, with smallholder plantations having the biggest percentage (98.98%) while the rest is shared between government and private plantations. Major products of coconut from Indonesia are copra, coconut oil, desiccated coconut, fresh coconut, coconut shell charcoal, raw coconut fibers and processed coconut fibers [1]. Production of raw coconut fibers or raw coir was 15,814,069 kg and processed coir was 19.857.460 kg [1]. The 2010-2014 statistics data from the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) showed that the area of coconut plantation in Indonesia was 3,610,000 Ha, which is the largest in the APCC list, followed closely by The Philippines and India [2]. Effective utilisation of products from coconut trees will promote sustainable development
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