abaca fiber with epoxy as a retrofitting material

ABACA FIBER WITH EPOXY AS A RETROFITTING MATERIAL ROBERT R. DANCEL PhD CE Student, De La Salle University, Taft Manila Philippines Assistant Professor, Isabela State University Ilagan City, Isabela Philippines E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract - This work deals with the investigation and viability of the composite abaca fiber and epoxy as a retrofitting material. When uniaxially loaded concrete is restrained from dilating laterally, it exhibits increased strength and axial deformation (De Lorenzis and Tepfers 2003). This behavior becomes useful for the strengthening of existing concrete structures in which higher axial load capacities are required, or for improving the seismic performance of deficient concrete structures. Confinement of axially loaded concrete members in existing structures is required when a change in use is expected or when there is a need to upgrade the structure to meet current design standards. In addition, after unusual overloading events (e.g., earthquakes), axially loaded members can suffer damage that increases the need of their retrofitting by means of confinement.1 This study also realizes the abundance of locally available natural fiber abaca in addressing the need for new reinforcing materials that are both cheap and environment-friendly. Abaca fiber is endemic in the Philippines and is considered as one of the strongest natural fibers. In recent years, abaca has shown promise as an energy - saving replacement for glass fibers in automobiles. For one, Mercedes- Benz is known to have used abaca fiber - reinforced polypropylene composite in automobile body parts while Daimler Chrysler used them in under floor protection of passenger cars. Recently, the DOSTITDI developed a composite material that is a combination of abaca fibers and resin that can be used as roofing materials for the driver’s seat and sidecar of tricycles. It is a good substitute material for metals like stainless steel, galvanized iron, and others that are commonly used to make tricycle roofs and sidecars, and some automotive parts/components.2 To determine the viability of the composite as a retrofitting material, three variations of concrete specimens was compared to the other specimens. Five samples for each three variation of cylindrical concrete specimens namely the plain concrete cylinder specimen, the concrete cylinder specimen with epoxy and the concrete cylinder with the composite epoxy and abaca fiber. The concrete samples were wiped with dry cloth prior to application of epoxy. The epoxy was mixed in equal ratio for 5 minutes. A first coating of 262 grams of epoxy is applied by putty blade to the concrete sample resulting in an approximately 0.25 mm thick of epoxy. The fibers were then wound manually in a spiral manner in the concrete sample until the sample is covered with the fibers and before the epoxy dries. Then another application of 262 grams of epoxy was performed to sandwich the fibers between the layers of epoxy.The composite abaca fiber and epoxy was cured for 4 days prior to testing. With single factor analysis of variance, results showed a significant increase in the compressive strength of the samples with epoxy as compared to the plain concrete samples and the samples with the composite epoxy and abaca fiber as compared with the samples with epoxy. Indexterms - Abaca fiber; Epoxy; Composite; Retrofitting.

for new reinforcing materials that are both cheap and environment-friendly. The use of natural fiber in composites does not only help reduce dependence on non-renewable energy/material sources but also lowers pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, enhances energy recovery, and end of life biodegradability of components. The mechanical properties of natural fiber composite can compete with that of the synthetic with better fiber treatment and appropriate processing technique.3 With ever growing awareness for environmental conservation and sustainable development, technology and development is inclined to go green. Before, when we talk of technology and development we mean machines with internal combustion engines and factories with towering exhaust pipes. But now, almost every effort for technology and development is geared towards renewable source of energy and utilization of renewable raw materials. Tropical countries like the Philippines abound with fibrous plants, some of which are agricultural crops.Abaca is a bast fiber extracted from the stalk of the plant.5Bast fibers are soft woody fibers, which are obtained from stems or stalks of dicotyledonous plants. Currently

I. INTRODUCTION When uniaxially loaded concrete is restrained from dilating laterally, it exhibits increased strength and axial deformation (De Lorenzis and Tepfers 2003). This behavior becomes useful for the strengthening of existing concrete structures in which higher axial load capacities are required, or for improving the seismic performance of deficient concrete structures. Confinement of axially loaded concrete members in existing structures is required when a change in use is expected or when there is a need to upgrade the structure to meet current design standards. In addition, after unusual overloading events (e.g., earthquakes), axially loaded members can suffer damage that increases the need of their retrofitting by means of confinement. The study of fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites for confinement of compression members has gained attention in recent years due to the capability to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with more traditional strengthening techniques.1 The high price of synthetic fibers and the demands for environment-friendly materials led to the search

Proceedings of Researchfora International Conference, Manila, Philippines, 27th-28th August 2018 1

Abaca Fiber with Epoxy as a Retrofitting Material

bast fibers are raw materials not only used for the textile industry but also for modern environmentally friendly composites used in different areas of applications like building materials, particle boards, insulation boards, food, cosmetics, medicine and source for other biopolymers etc.6 Abaca is similar to banana in appearance except that the leaves are upright, pointed, narrower and more tapered than the leaves of banana.3 Abaca also known as Manila hemp is a Musasea family plant native to Asia and planted in humid areas including in the Philippines and East of Indonesia. Abaca fibers are extensively used to produce ropes, woven fabrics, tea bags, etc. It is also called biodegradable and sustainable fiber. Abaca is considered the strongest of natural fibers.5 Owing to the extremely high mechanical strength of the fiber as well as its length, application of abaca even in highly stressed components offers great potential for different industrial applications. Given its strong tensile strength it can also be used for ‘harder’ applications for exterior semi-structure components as a substitute for glass fiber in reinforced plastic components.Recently the DOSTITDI developed a composite material that is a combination of abaca fibers and resin that can be used as roofing materials for the driver’s seat and sidecar of tricycles. It is a good substitute material for metals like stainless steel, galvanized iron, and others that are commonly used to make tricycle roofs and sidecars, and some automotive parts/components. The ITDI and KIMS researchers explored the use of different abaca treatments, surface modification techniques, and composite production technologies (e.g. vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding) for natural fiber reinforced-composite production. This innovation provides opportunities to explore and maximize the use of other locally abundant natural fibers for composite fabrication that may yet revitalize the local natural fiber industry. Increased demand for abaca fiber composites can also provide employment opportunities and improve the income of abaca fiber producers.2 Abaca shows promise as an energy-saving replacement for glass fibers in automobiles. Abaca fiber composites are used extensively in automotive industry. Mercedes Benz used abaca fiber reinforced polypropylene composites in automobile body parts.In 2005, Daimler - Chrysler used abaca fiber in the exterior application of an under floor cover of their cars.6The use of abaca fiber instead of glass fiber reduces the weight of automotive parts, bringing about 60% savings in energy and reduces CO2 emissions making it environment friendly. These composites are also used in construction as well as packaging industries (Girones et al., 2011).4 The study underlies the principle that “when uniaxially loaded concrete is restrained from dilating laterally, it exhibits increased strength and axial deformation” (De Lorenzis and Tepfers 2003).1

1.1 Abaca Fiber The components of natural fibers include cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, waxes and water soluble substances.3The chemical composition of abaca fiber is 76.6% cellulose, 14.6% hemicellulose, 8.4% lignin, 0.3% pectin and 0.1% wax and fat.5The percent composition depends on the fiber source.3 Compared to synthetic fibers like rayon and nylon, abaca fiber possesses higher tensile strength and lower elongation in both wet and dry states.5Superior mechanical properties are influenced by the nature of fibers. Fibers with high crystallinity, high aspect ratio i.e. length to diameter ratio and low microfibrillar angle imparts superior properties (Kabir et al., 2011).4

1.2 Composite Composite materials are a combination of two or more structurally dissimilar materials acting in harmony suitable for structural applications. The two main components of a composite are matrix and reinforcement. Reinforcing materials are strong while the matrix is a tough material and maintains fiber alignment. When composites are fabricated, they combine the strength of reinforcement and toughness of the matrix making them superior compared to any of the conventional materials.4 In composites, load is applied on the matrix which then transfers the load on to the fibers acting as reinforcement. Fibers, being stronger and stiffer increase the strength of the composites. Fiber reinforcements enhance the mechanical properties and hence these composites find varied applications from aerospace industry, sports equipment and automotive industry to biomedical applications. The biggest advantage of these materials is that the properties of the composites can be tailor made depending on the specific purpose.4 II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Materials The abaca fibers used in this study were S2 graded fibers from Bicol region of the Philippines. S2 is an


Abaca Fiber with Epoxy as a Retrofitting Material

abaca fiber grade wherein the tensile strength of the fiber ranges from 35 to 55 kilogram force per gram meter, the stripping and texture is graded as excellent and soft respectively.7 Abaca fibers were further dried for one day under direct sunlight to remove water from the fiber. The abaca fibers used were 2 to 2.3 meters in length. The epoxy used is the Pioneer Adhesives All Purpose Epoxy purchased from Republic Chemical Industries Inc. Philippines. The concrete cylinder samples were 6 inches diameter and 12 inches high.8 The proportioning of cement, sand and gravel was 1, 1.5 and 3 respectively with a water - cement ratio of 0.5.9 The cement used is Holcim Excel Portland Cement. Gravel is 3/4 inch crushed and the sand is of good quality free from impurities in accordance to ASTM C33. The compressive test is in accordance to ASTM C39. Actual slump ranges are 100 mm to 125 mm.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The table summarizes the corresponding compressive strengths of the cylindrical samples with the confining materials. There is approximately 7.65% increase in the compressive strength of the sample with epoxy as the confining material. An increase in the compressive strength of approximately 16.71% is recorded with abaca fiber and epoxy as the confining material. Single factor analysis of variance was used to analyze the results to deduce conclusions such as whether there is a significant increase in compressive strength in the cylindrical samples with the introduction of the composite abaca fiber and epoxy as a confining material and the epoxy as a confining material. A significant increase in the compressive strength with the addition of epoxy and the composite epoxy and abaca fiber as a confining material is resulted from the computation.

2.2 Composite Application The concrete samples were wiped with dry cloth prior to application of epoxy. The epoxy was mixed in equal ratio for 5 minutes. A first coating of 262 grams of epoxy is applied by putty blade to the concrete sample resulting in an approximately 0.25 mm thick of epoxy. The fibers were then wound manually in a spiral manner in the concrete sample until the sample is covered with the fibers and before the epoxy dries. Then another application of 262 grams of epoxy was performed to sandwich the fibers between the layers of epoxy. 2.3 Mechanical Testing There were 15 concrete samples in total, 5 plain concrete samples, 5 concrete samples with two coatings of 262 grams of epoxy and 5 concrete samples with composite abaca fiber and epoxy. The samples were tested after 4 days of epoxy application. CONCLUSIONS Data results showed a significant increase of compressive strengths of the cylindrical samples with the introduction of epoxy and the composite epoxy and abaca fiber as a confining material. Approximately 7.65% increase in compressive strength was recorded for samples with epoxy as a confining material and approximately 16.71% was recorded in the samples with the composite epoxy and abaca fiber. Research pertaining to the behavior of the composite as a retrofitting material in the long term is recommended as well as the composite’s response to the elements. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author acknowledges the technical support of the Department of Public Works and Highways at Ilagan City, Isabela Philippines for the testing of samples. Also the Isabela State University Ilagan City Campus Proceedings of Researchfora International Conference, Manila, Philippines, 27th-28th August 2018 3

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