Maguey (Agave americana L.) Leaves as Partial Substitute for Coarse Aggregate of Concrete Hollow Blocks

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Most people engaged in construction prefer materials that are durable but affordable. Concrete hollow blocks, for example, being one of the primary materials for construction, need to be durable -that is, with high compressive strength. For this reason, the researchers thought of using Agave americana L. plant fiber as a partial substitute for coarse aggregate of concrete hollow blocks thinking that these fibers could increase the compressive strength of CHBs.

METHODS

Maguey plant leaves were decorticated to obtain fibers. Materials for making concrete hollow blocks were prepared using the following treatments:T0: 2000g sand + 500g cement + 800 mL waterT1: 2000g sand + 500g cement + 30g Maguey Plant fibers + 800 mL water T2: 2000g sand + 500g cement + 40g Maguey Plant fibers + 800 mL water Two sample concrete hollow blocks per treatment were tested for compressive strength.

RESULTS

Results show that the compressive strength of sample concrete hollow blocks are as follows: T0 = 70 psi T1 = 178.5 psi and T2 =172.5 psi. It is noted that the samples under treatment 1 leads the control by 108.5 psi while the samples under Treatment 2 leads the control by102.5 psi.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the test results, sample concrete hollow blocks with Maguey Plant fibers as coarse aggregate have higher compressive strength than concrete hollow blocks without these aggregates. This implies that the presence of Maguey Plant fibers in the mixture increased its compressive strength hence producing a more durable concrete hollow block.