Thesis Title: Effects of Abaca Fiber Length to the Properties of Concrete with Different Design Strength

Researchers:
Anino, Karen Ara O. Doroja, Rodie Jay S.
Cadiong, Ma. Sariette D. Majait, Jemrey T.
Cajuban, Lizer C. Mijares, Ariane Mae A.
De Pedro, Darryl S. Sacaben, Judy R.
Ditche, Diana Marie
Evaluator’s Analysis/Recommendations/Comments:
1. What is now the effects of fibers in the strength of concrete? What is the effect of strand
if you change the length?
Answer:
For both the split-tensile and flexural strength of concrete, it was seen from the results of
the test that increasing the abaca fiber length from 50 mm to 200 mm decreased the said
strength of concrete. This trend of results can be seen from the graphs in the Chapter 4 of our
technical paper.
2. In page 34, why do you need to graph the modulus of rupture? How about the flexural
strength? Include the graph of peak load or flexural strength.
Answer:
Definition of Modulus of Rupture: “an ultimate strength pertaining to the failure of
beams by flexure equal to the bending moment at rupture divided by the section modulus of
the beam” (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modulus of rupture).
Definition of modulus of Rupture: “flexural strength, also known as modulus of
rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property defined as the
stress in a material just before it yields in a flexural test”
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flexural_strength).
From these definitions, it can be concluded that the modulus of rupture must be
considered to define and give a trend for the effect of abaca fiber length to the flexural
strength of concrete. The modulus of strength would tell us exactly the strength of the beam
in terms of MPa which is in Force over Area. Hence, it would be equal or almost equal to
any exact replica of mixture created in the future and thus relate to its strength. If, in any
manner, beams with the same mixture as ours were to be casted in the future, it is expected
to yield an exact the same amount of strength as our sample however big or small that sample
may be.
Graphs of peak stresses are now inserted in our technical paper as required.
3. Instead of using 50 mm, maybe we can just use 100 mm. You can include that in your
discussion.
Answer:
The purpose of using 50 mm was to consider a base for the nearest study related to
ours. This was the study of Engr. Gil Beltran that considered abaca fiber length and abaca
fiber amount. However, his study showed no significant or similar trend for different
amounts of fibers incorporated in the mixture. For abaca fiber amounts 0.25%, 0.5%, and
0.75% of concrete weight, the observed fiber length to give the highest split tensile strength
was 50 mm while for the fiber amount 1.0% of concrete weight, the optimum fiber length
was 37.5 mm. It was observed that trends for the effects of fiber length varied with the fiber
amount. Hence, to consider and make use of his past study, we decided to consider starting
with the fiber length 100 mm.
𝑀𝑐
4. Why are you still using the formula of modulus of rupture instead of 𝐹 = ?
𝐼

Answer:
From the ASTM C 293/C 293M-10, it was stated in the procedure to calculate the
3𝑃𝐿
strength of the beam samples using the formula for the modulus of rupture, 𝑅 = 2𝑏𝑑2. From
the definitions stated in the answers for question number 4, it can be seen that the modulus
of rupture would also pertain to the flexural strength of the beam. It would also be more
accurate to use the modulus of rupture formula to calculate for strength of the beam sample
since that formula was recommended or stated in the ASTM standard for center-point loading
test.
5. In the related literature, the optimum/maximum peak load that could be offered is when
the length is 50 mm. How come that in your results, this was not the outcome?
Answer:
For the study of Engr. Beltran, the 50 mm fiber length gave the highest peak load for
fiber amounts 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0,75% of concrete weight as for split-tensile strength. For
the modulus of rupture, 50 mm fiber length gave the highest values when the fiber amount
was 0.75 % of concrete weight. From the trends of his study, in the fiber amounts of 0.25%,
0.5%, and 1.0%, the increase of fiber amount increased the modulus of rupture and this was
only true up to a length of 32.5 mm. Then the modulus of rupture decrease when the fiber
length was 50 mm. Hence, this proves the trend of our study that further increase of fiber
length decreases the modulus of rupture.
6. If you considered the weight, do you think the length of the fiber matters?
a. It only implies that you do not study the effect of length by using 2-50 mm and
1-100 mm.
b. How did the other researches deal with that?
Answer:
From the results of our study and other past related literatures, it can be observed that
not only the amount or weight of fibers would affect the strength as well as the other
properties of the concrete but also the length of the fibers. If you would notice the result of
our study and that of Engr. Beltran, you would observe an effect due to the fiber length of
abaca. From the trend of our results, you would observe that increase of fibers increases the
flexural capacity of concrete but only up to a certain fiber length. Further increase decreases
the modulus of rupture. Thus, it can be concluded that the length of the fibers would matter.
Comparing the effect between using 1-100 mm and 2-50 mm fiber, it can be
considered that the effect when we double up the numbers for 100 mm say 2-100 mm fibers
versus 2-50 mm, the results will be biased by the fiber amount. Hence, an additional
parameter will be present and the results will not be solely controlled by the fiber length. For
such reason, it would be wiser to eliminate this parameter for this study to compare fiber
length. For the case of using 1-100 mm and 2-50 mm, it can be considered that the numbers
working at the time would be different. However, the amount would be the same and in such
case, the number of fibers would be an inherent and irremovable property or aspect with fiber
length. To sum it up, part of the effect of changing the fiber length would be the changing
the numbers of fibers present in the mixture considering that the fiber amount is constant.
Thus, changing the fiber length would also matter as to changing the properties of the
concrete.
 7. You need to discuss here why is it that your 200 is the smallest compared to your 50 mm
and 150 mm.
Answer:
The answer for this phenomena has already been discussed in the Chapter 4 of our technical
paper. This happened due to the activation time of abaca fibers which was mainly controlled
by the stiffness state of the fibers in the mixture during the application of load. Since shorter
fiber lengths such as 50 mm have greater diameter-to-length ratio as compared to longer
lengths like 200 mm, the initial state of 50 mm is much stiffer compared to 200 mm and that
the time it takes for the 50 mm fibers to stretch and activate would be earlier compared to
200 mm fibers. Thus, during the resisting of load, at a time that micro-cracks propagate, 50
mm fibers would activate earlier than 200 mm and resist the load in partner with the concrete
resulting in a higher strength than 200 mm fibers.
8. Revise your conclusion according to your results.
Answer:
The revision of the conclusion has already been implemented. It can be seen in the Chapter
5 of our technical paper.
9. Use correct labeling of figures and tables, as well as placements.
Answer:
Correct labelling of figures and tables have already been made as well as their placements as
seen in our technical paper.
10. Proof reading your manuscripts.
Answer:
Related literatures have already been read. As proof, tabulated form of the read journals and
their summary of information was made.

Prepared by:
Anino, Karen Ara O.: ________________ Doroja, Rodie Jay S.: ________________
Cadiong, Ma. Sariette D.: _____________ Majait, Jemrey T.: ___________________
Cajuban, Lizer C.: ___________________ Mijares, Ariane Mae A.: ______________
De Pedro, Darryl S.: _________________ Sacaben, Judy R.: ____________________
Ditche, Diana Marie: _________________

I certify that the contents of this report have been discussed by me and my supervised group.

ENGR. OTILIA G. TADUYO

Supervisor