Bamboo (Bambusa blumena) Fiber as an Additive in the Compressive Strength of Asphalt Cement Mixture

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is considered rich in timber plants especially bamboo. It is also one of the most important substitutes for the endangered rainforest hardwoods and is one of the most exploited plants on the planet because its cultivation doesn't require too much effort. Pavements may be considered failed when the deformations of its components are sufficiently large to cause an intolerably uneven riding surface or cracking of the surfacing material. Even though those structures can withstand a great amount of pressure made by the vehicles, it could still be strengthened to be able to withstand a greater amount of pressure. Due to its low maintenance cost and versatility, bamboo has numerous applications.

METHODS

Bamboo fiber was extracted manually using a bolo knife from 3-5 years old bamboo, which was gathered from a bamboo plantation in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. The extracted bamboo fiber underwent a preservation method called the alkaline method in which the different concentrations of bamboo fiber were soaked in sodium hydroxide for 24 hours. It was then dried and partitions were made by mixing 4%, 8%, and 12% bamboo fiber to the asphalt cement and were replicated three times. After molding the asphalt, the molds were cooled for 24 hours before removal. The experimental group samples were tested to determine if there was a change in the compressive strength and density compared to the control group. This study used the following statistical treatment in analyzing the data: t-Test of unequal variances was used to find the result of the test on the asphalt cement mixture with different bamboo fiber concentrations.

RESULTS

Compressive strength tester is used to determine the compressive strength of the sample mixtures. The average compressive strength and density of asphalt-cement mixture without bamboo fiber are 396. 66 pounds per square inch (psi) and 1973. 66 kg/m3 respectively. Upon the addition of 4%, 8% and 12% bamboo fiber to the standard mixture, the average compressive strength and density are 293.33 psi and 1911 kg/m3, 296.66 psi and 1929.33 kg/m3, and 263.33 psi and 1872.33 kg/m3 respectively.

DISCUSSIONS

Data analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the asphalt-cement mixture with and without bamboo fiber in terms of compressive strength and density. Therefore, bamboo fiber was not an effective binder in the asphalt-cement mixture.