Thesis Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering University of Rizal System-Morong 2024

Fiber cement boards (FCB) are a popular construction material, but their reliance on wood pulp raises sustainability concerns. Taro stem fibers, a readily available agricultural byproduct in many regions, present a promising alternative. This section explores the potential of taro stem fibers in FCB by drawing parallels to the established role of wood pulp. Both taro stem fibers and wood pulp share key characteristics that make them effective reinforcing agents in FCB. First, they boast a high cellulose content. Cellulose, a complex carbohydrate, forms the structural backbone of plant cell walls, imbuing both materials with inherent strength and stiffness. This cellulose content allows them to act effectively within FCB, providing dimensional stability shape. According to Zhang (2022), both taro stem fibers and wood pulp possess a high aspect ratio, meaning they are elongated and slender. This elongated form facilitates efficient interlocking and entanglement within the cement matrix of FCB. This creates a strong, interconnected network that enhances the overall strength and dimensional stability of the board. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the fibers of the taro plant, a Southeast Asian root crop traditionally used for food, as a partial replacement for cellulose fibers in fiber cement boards (FCBs). The researchers used experimental, developmental, and descriptive methods to assess the effectiveness and suitability of taro stem fibers in FCBs. They evaluated the physical and chemical properties of both TSF and CF, the flexural and compressive strength of the boards using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) with professional assistance and performed an improvised testing method to acquire results in fire resistivity and water absorption. The findings in the physical properties testing revealed that TSF and CF are both cellulosic materials but are still different in their overall composition. While not the only factor, cellulose content plays a significant role in determining the tensile strength of fibers. A higher cellulose content generally indicates a stronger and more resistant fiber under tension (Begum et al., 2021). CF has much higher cellulose content resulting them to have an increased stiffness and reduced elasticity while TSF's hemicellulose and lower cellulose content contribute to their ability to bend and return to their original shape after deformation. When a material is high in stiffness, it tends to just snap instead of deform before breaking which is the case for CF since it's made out of wood. So, even if its aspect ratio is taken into discussion, its overall composition or property, mainly its stiffness, plays a significant role in its inability to handle stress before breaking under pulling forces. On the other hand, TSF is more on the elastic side so for it to have a higher tensile strength than a wood-based material like wood pulp, is not a surprise anymore. The chemical composition of taro stem fibers plays a significant role in their applicability across various industries including the construction field. It indicates that incorporating 4% taro stem fibers into FCB significantly enhanced their flexural strength compared to conventional boards. However, only a certain amount of taro stem fibers could improve the said property of the FCB. Furthermore, replacing some conventional cellulose fibers with taro stem fibers led to improvements in compressive strength and water absorption resistance. In the fire resistance test TSFCB4 was able to outperform FCB in fire resistivity while both TSFCB2 and TSFCB3 (containing 2% and 3% TSF, respectively) fall short of surpassing FCB's fire resistivity performance. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that although it is possible for taro stem fibers to be a partial replacement to the conventional cellulose fibers in making fiber cement board, they still recommend to further explore the properties of the materials involved for better execution of the project. Future research should investigate the addition of inherent materials to taro fibers to potentially enhance their performance and explore more cost-effective production methods.