Effects of Cardava Peel Fiber as an Additive in the Compressive Strength of Concrete

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is considered to be abundant in forest products, especially banana trees. Banana is a quick growing and versatile product. Due to its low cost and maintenance, banana has numerous applications. In this study the cardava banana, commonly known as 'saging na saba', peel fiber is used as an additive on the concrete mixture because its age and moisture content have a significant influence onthe compressive strength of the concrete.

METHODS

The cardava peel fiber underwent a preservation method called submersion in which the different concentration of cardava peel fiber were soaked in sodium benzoate for 24 hours. It was then dried using a microwave for 60 minutes and partitions were made by mixing 2%, 5%, and 8% concentrations of Cardava peel fiber to the concrete mixture and was replicated twice. The data was tabulated and treated using t-test.

RESULTS

The concentration of 5% Cardava peel fiber concrete mixture has the highest compressive strength compared to the standard concrete mixture, and the 2% and 5% cardava peel fiber concrete mixture.

DISCUSSIONS

The different concentrations of the Cardava peel fiber directly affect the psi of the concrete. The mean psi of the concrete mixtures showed that the concrete mixture with 5% Cardava peel fiber concentration has the highest psi. This means that the concrete with 5% Cardava peel fiber concentration is the most effective in increasing the compressive strength of concrete.