Cow Manure Fiber Reinforced Hollow Blocks for Structural Application: Modeling and Testing

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, various disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons give problems in the structural capability of concrete hollow blocks produced in our country so the improvement of durability of hollow blocks is being studied. Due to this, the researchers produced a concrete hollow block reinforced with cow manure fiber for structural application. The purpose of the study is to strengthen concrete hollow blocks that can be used to make bridges, buildings, houses, and other structures to prolong and ensure the stability of those infrastructures.

METHODS

The cow manure was collected in the field. The fiber was obtained from the cow manure by boiling the manure. Cheesecloth was used to extract the fiber from the cow manure by pouring some cold water after boiling. The extracted fiber was mixed with concrete cement with a different amount. 0.5% and 1.5% of fiber, concrete cement, sand, and water were used to make reinforced hollow blocks. The two reinforced hollow blocks were tested together with a concrete hollow block to differentiate the results.

RESULTS

For compressive strength test, fiber reinforced hollow blocks together with the commercially produced one was brought to the Testing Center Corporation to test if cow manure fiber is an effective aggregate on hollow blocks. Hollow blocks were brought to the materials testing laboratory and were placed in the universal testing machine (UTM). Then the UTM applied force to the hollow blocks. Data was gathered until the hollow blocks collapsed. The results showed that the 1.5% cow manure fiber reinforced hollow block has the highest psi, followed by 0.5% and the commercial hollow blocks. The 1.5% has a compressive strength of 209 psi while 0.5% has 170 psi and the commercial hollow block got the lowest compressive strength which is 85 psi.

DISCUSSIONS

Therefore cow manure fiber is an effective aggregate that increases and improves a load of hollow blocks, which makes it tougher compared to commercial hollow blocks. This study still has various fields of improvement to enhance its composition and make it another turning point for our country and also in our environment.