Use of Coconut Fiber As Reinforcement in Bamboo Leaf Ash Blended Cement - Based Composite Panels

The study investigates the use of natural agro-wastes in cement-based wall composites. Bamboo leaf ash (BLA) and Portland cement were blended together in a ratio of 1:3 by weight, and a varying amount of coconut fiber at percentage levels of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% by weight of the cementitious materials were added to the mix. Water to cementitious materials ratio of 0.55 was maintained for all the mixtures. Properties investigated were compressive strength, Modulus of Rupture (MOR), moisture content, density and water absorption. Specimens with sizes of 160 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm and 640 mm x 100 mm x 25 mm were cast and tested at 7, 14 and 28 days for compressive strength and MOR, respectively; and specimens with a size of 100 mm x 100 mm x 40 mm for moisture content, density and water absorption were cast and tested at 28 days only. The results show that compressive strength and MOR increase with the increase in curing age and fiber content up to 2%, and density decreases with the increase in fiber content; while the increase in fiber content increases both water absorption and moisture content. The study concluded that coconut fiber is suitable for use as reinforcement in the production of bamboo leaf ash blended cement-based composite panels.