CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
PREAMBLE.
Fibre have been used to reinforce construction materials since instance, the use of straw in sun-dried
mud bricks or the strengthening of mortar with horse hair being typical examples. The studies into
their use in cementitious mixture seem have gained popularity only in the last few decades or so.
Although some progress has been achieved most notably with roof tiles and roof of sheet using
Asbestos and the likes, loss of strength due to deterioration of the fibres has given cause for concern.
Despite this drawback, the apparent success of natural fibres in economic housing application
elsewhere encouraged investigation of their potential use in Africa, Nigeria precisely where the need
to address the critical housing requirement of the mass expedient.
The reinforcement of sandcrete blocks with bagasse fibre is responsible for the low density (light
weight) possessed by the blocks as one of their preferred properties since the aggregate are mainly
sand, cement and bagasse fibre, with the bagasse serving as partial replacement for sand and a
complete substitute for coarse aggregate.

By Bagasse fibre is the pulp or dry refuse left after the juice has been extracted from sugar cane. The
bagasse is considered a potential composite material have possessed some physical features of a good
composite material.