Abstract:
The objective of this research was to study the potential of using coconut fiber in the construction industry. The researcher studied the use of Portland cement with coconut fibers by testing the compressive strength, bending strength, shear strength, splitting tensile strength, and direct tensile strength. In this study, the coconut fiber material was mixed by Portland cement and water at the ratios of 11.2: 29.6: 59.2, 12.1: 28.8: 59.1, and 13.0: 28.0: 59.0 percent by volume, respectively. Beam size 10X10X60 cm, 10X10X30 cm and cylinder of dimension 15X30 cm were extruded to test bending, shear, direct tensile, compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength, respectively at the age of 28 and 90 days.
The test results showed that the compressive strength, bending strength, shear strength and splitting tensile strength increased with the increase of coconut fiber amount. The ratio of coconut fiber mixed at 13.0 percent by volume yields the highest values. For direct tensile strength, it was found that the direct tensile strength decreased when the amount of coconut fiber was increased. The coconut fibers at 11.2 percent by volume had the highest direct tensile strength. Comparing between the age of 2 8 days and 9 0 days, it was shown that at the age of 9 0 days, all mechanical properties decreased.