Fabrication and Properties of <i>Panicum repens</i> Reinforced Cement

Abstract

This research aims to fabrication and evaluation the properties of cement reinforcement made from Panicumrepens. The research is divided into two parts are as follows; to determined the optimal ratio selection, and to compare the properties of Panicumrepens reinforced cement, and without grasses by using the optimal ratio. The raw materials used in this research were cut in length of 2.0-2.5 cm. In this research was determined the properties of Panicumrepens reinforced cement in terms of bulk density, water absorption, and compressive strength. The influence of fibers soaked with 5% of sodium hydroxide concentration was also conducted in this research. The surface structure and chemical characteristics of fibers used to produce reinforced cement were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS), respectively. Moreover, relationships of information collected from this research were concerned. Furthermore, the addition of Panicumrepens fibers could improve the flexural strength of composite materials.