International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024
Livistona Rotundifolia (Anahaw) fiber as an Additive to
Increase the Compressive Strength of Concrete.
Alvin Dean P. Toquero1, Dale Harvie V. Fondales 2, Kenneth Dave L. Mariano3
1,2,3
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cebu – Main Campus, Cebu City, Philippines, +63
Abstract— The project study used the experimental method
to make a concrete cylinder using anahaw Fiber as the fiber-
reinforced concrete. The concrete will undergo a series of
tests subjected to physical and mechanical property tests.
Anahaw (Livistona Rotundifulia) fiber was used as an additive
to concrete in the study to increase the compressive strength
of concrete. In this study, the Concrete cylinder undergoes
density testing in which it follows the Class Mix ratio of 1:2:4
with the following additive percent of anahaw in each sample
cylinder: 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%. The researcher also
considers the water absorption of anahaw Fiber when added
to concrete.
The researchers discovered that the appropriate
class A concrete mix design is with 0.2 percent anahaw fiber.
The results revealed that the anahaw Fiber depends on the
concrete sample's volume—moreover, the higher the anahaw
fiber reinforcement in concrete, the lesser the compressive
strength. Based on the compressive testing, the results
displayed that the anahaw Fiber mixed in concrete has a
maximum strength of 1463.43 psi.
Thus, there is a significant relationship between
anahaw Fiber and concrete. Furthermore, the amount of
anahaw Fiber that can be mixed in concrete should be
appropriate. Moreover, based on the results, anahaw Fiber
reinforced concrete can be used in construction to the extent
of concrete fill, thin reinforced sections, railings, filler in steel
grid floors, precast RC piles, and cribbing.
Keywords— Anahaw, Fiber-reinforcement, Concrete, Compressive
Strength
I. INTRODUCTION
The 30 million hectares of land in the Philippines are
used for agriculture (Perlas, 2020). Furthermore, the
government has fertile terrain, abundant natural resources,
dedicated farmers, and agricultural research institutions
(Atilano, 2017). Aside from Cebu City and other urbanized
cities, most of the country's citizens live in rural areas and take
agriculture as their source of income due to its abundance in
the archipelago.
Having wealth in terms of agriculture, the Philippines
contains different species of palm, most known as palm trees.
There are roughly 202 known genera with 2600 species, many
of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm
temperate climates. One is Livistona rotundifolia, known as
Anahaw, which is considered endemic in the archipelago. It is
often referred to as the national leaf of the Philippines.
Anahaw is a solitary palm that grows up to 20 meters and has
crowded leaves at the top with leaf blades with an
1
approximate diameter of 1 meter. Anahaw has different
economic uses, the most common products made from
Anahaw are fans due to the shape.
Furthermore, the fan-shaped leaves are roofing for
low-cost houses like the traditional bahay-kubo, and the leaves
also serve as wall covers. Anahaw, like all other palm plants
and trees, contains a significant amount of Fiber, according to
FIDA (Fiber Industry Development Authority). It possesses so
much Fiber that it outnumbers several plants like banana,
abaca, sisal, kenaf, and others in terms of fiber content.
A structural material called concrete is made of
aggregates, cement, and water that is commonly used in
construction. Concrete is susceptible to cracks and ruptures
due to excessive moisture permeation and a significant amount
of stress that the tensile strength of the concrete mix design
cannot withstand. As a result, fiber-reinforced concrete is
being developed to solve the problem. Fiber-reinforced
concrete is a specialty concrete that contains steel, glass,
synthetic, or natural fibers to increase tensile and flexural
strength and avoid stress and tension cracks.
For example, an article (Erram, 2018) showed that in
Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR), DPWH Assistant Regional
Director Engr. Mario Montejo told reporters in a press
conference that these were hairline cracks of the structure's
design component and are typical for concrete infrastructure.
In addition, the cracks appeared exaggerated because they
were applied epoxy to protect the structure from being
weathered and should not cause any alarm or panic. Even
though the cracks are normal for concrete, the researchers
devised an idea to prevent this kind of problem on concrete.
Thus, glass and other fibers used as concrete
reinforcement are often more expensive due to the steel
composition. The researchers conclude that the construction
industry will benefit significantly from a cheaper alternative
fiber supply. The researchers' preferred solution is to use
Anahaw fiber in the development of fiber-reinforced concrete
because, first, it is locally abundant due to its endemic
situation; second, it is a natural fiber, helping to make it a less
costly option to more expensive fibers without sacrificing
effectiveness. Finally, it enhances compressive strength
similarly to other fiber sources.
A. Objectives of the study
The study aimed to utilized Anahaw in the Philippines,
which the country was considered abundant in agriculture.
It specifically aims to address the ensuing sub-problems.
1. What is the appropriate addition of Anahaw fiber under
concrete class mix A?
1.1. 0%
1.2. 0.2%
 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
1.3. 0.4%
1.4. 0.6%
2. Using ASTM C642 Standard Method, what is the water
absorption of anahaw Fiber when mixed with concrete?
3. What is the effect of Anahaw fiber as an additive to
concrete in its compressive strength?
4. After gathering data, to what extent does anahaw Fiber as
an additive in concrete mix will be accepted in
construction?
B. Conceptual Framework
A conceptual model was made and shown below based on
the existing concepts, theories, and findings of related
literature, studies, and insights gathered from the different
cited references.
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Design
The project study used the experimental method to make a
concrete cylinder using anahaw Fiber as the fiber-reinforced
concrete. The concrete will undergo a series of tests subjected
to physical and mechanical property tests.
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ISSN (Online): 2455-9024
Table 3 shows the number of concrete cylinders, the class
of concrete mix, the proportion of concrete mix, and the
percentage of anahaw as reinforced fiber additive by weight.
There are four concrete cylinders having class A concrete mix,
with a proportion of 1:2:4. The first cylinder has 0 percent of
Anahaw fiber, the second cylinder has 0.2 percent of Anahaw
fiber, the third cylinder has 0.4 percent of Anahaw fiber, the
fourth cylinder has 0.6 percent of Anahaw fiber. Each mix
proportions have four replicate specimens.
B. Locale
This research study occured at the University of Cebu-
Main Campus at Sanciangko, St. Cebu City, specificallly in
the Civil Engineering department. This university offers Pre-
Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior and Senior High Schools, as
well as Undergraduate and Potgraduate Degrees. In addition, it
provides a reasonable and good education system in Civil
Engineering that can fulfill the needs of the surrounding
communities.
C. Instruments
This study used 150 x 300mm cylinder in molding of
concrete and test and evaluated each specimen's physical and
mechanical properties under the ASTM.
D. Research Procedure
The diagram below shows the procedure for developing
concrete using anahaw Fiber as reinforcement to test and
obtain the objectives.
Figure 2. Research Procedure
 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024

III. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

The information acquired on using Anahaw fiber as an
additive to concrete to raise its compressive stress is analyzed
and explained.

Concrete Cylinder Density Test

In this study, the Concrete cylinder undergoes density
testing in which it follows the Class Mix ratio of 1:2:4 with
the additive percent of concrete.

Table 4. Concrete Cylinder Density Test Table 5.2 shows the number of curing days, type of
Concrete Additive Class Additive sample, sample name, load, compressive strength, and average
Cylinder Fiber Mix Fiber compressive strength after seven days of curing. Based on the
No. % (grams) findings, the type of sample that contains 0.2 percent anahaw
fiber after 14 days shows the highest compressive strength
1 0.00% A 0 with an average of 9.74 MPa. The findings that the researchers
2 0.20% A 25.78 gather from the experiment indicate that the higher content of
Fiber in the specimen sample, the lesser the compressive it
3 0.40% A 51.66 has.
4 0.60% A 77.34
Table 6.1. Water Absorption of Concrete Cylinder after 7 days
Table 4 shows the number of concrete cylinder samples, of Curing
percentage of anahaw Fiber per concrete sample, class mix,
and amount of anahaw Fiber per concrete sample. The
researchers use % in weight of Fiber to be added to concrete
under the Class Mix A with a proportion of (1:2:4).

Table 5.1. Compressive strength After 7 days of Curing

Table 6.1 shows the complete result of water

absorption within 7 days of curing the concrete cylinder. The
table reveals that the highest mean of water absorption (%)
was Cylinder no. 3 with an aggregate mean of 0.88%. They
were followed by the Cylinder no. 4 with an aggregate mean
of 0.85%. Furthermore, the lowest water absorption (%) was
the Cylinder no. 1, with an aggregate mean of 0.39. In
conclusion, the added amount of anahaw Fiber in a cylinder is
Table 5.1 shows the number of curing days, type of
directly proportional to the amounting mean of water
sample, sample name, load, compressive strength, and average
absorption.
compressive strength after seven days of curing. Based on the
findings, the type of sample that contains 0.2 percent anahaw
Table 6.2. Water Absorption of Concrete Cylinder after 14
fiber after 7 days shows the highest compressive strength with
days of curing
an average of 7.54 Mpa. The findings that the researchers
gather from the experiment indicate that the higher content of
Fiber in the specimen sample, the lesser the compressive it
has.

Table 5.2. Compressive Strength after 14 days of Curing

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 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
ISSN (Online): 2455-9024

Table 6.2 distinguishes the water absorption of the the maximum amount of compressive strength of anahaw
concrete cylinder that undergoes it within 14 days of curing. Fiber mixed in concrete is 1463.43 psi. Therefore, the extent
The following table shows the outcome of the succeeding of anahaw Fiber mixed in concrete that can be applied in
mean of water absorption to the concrete cylinder number. construction can be used in concrete fill, thin reinforced
The disposition of the following result is directly proportional sections, railings, filler in steel grid floors, precast R.C. piles,
to the added amount of anahaw Fiber. This firstly shows that and cribbing.
Cylinder No. 2 was the highest mean of water absorption (%),
with an aggregate mean of 0.89%. Preceded by Cylinder No. 3 IV. SUMMARY
with an aggregate mean of 0.61%, followed by Cylinder No. 1 In the field of the construction industry, quality and
with an aggregate mean of 0.58%. The lowest water safety are practiced. Based on the findings, in terms of its
absorption (%) was Cylinder No. 4, with an aggregate mean of compressive strength, Livistona Rotundofolia ( Anahaw) fiber
0.57%. Lastly, the table verifies that there's an appropriate as an additive to concrete with a Class mix proportion A
amount of the anahaw Fiber to be added to the concrete (1:2:4) with the 0.2% Anahaw fiber increases the compressive
cylinder with respect to the curing time. strength of the concrete cylinder compared to the standard
concrete cylinder. The researchers also discovered that the
Table 7. Test Relationship between Relationship Between extent of anahaw Fiber mixed in concrete that can be applied
Appropriate Concrete Mix Design with Anahaw fiber in construction could be used in concrete fill, thin reinforced
and Compressive Strength of Concrete sections, railings, filler in steel grid floors, precast RC piles,
and cribbing.
Relationship
between Df Computed Critical V. CONCLUSION
Compressive Chi- Chi- Interpretation The researchers concluded that there is a significant
Strength and square square
relationship between anahaw Fiber and concrete. Furthermore,
Concrete mix value
with anahaw the amount of anahaw Fiber that can be mixed in concrete
at should be appropriate. Moreover, based on the results, anahaw
Significant Fiber reinforced concrete can be used in construction to the
7 Days 9 12.0 11.090 (null hypothesis extent of concrete fill, thin reinforced sections, railings, filler
was rejected) in steel grid floors, precast RC piles, and cribbing.
Significant
14 Days 9 12.0 11.090 (null hypothesis VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
was rejected) The researchers made the following recommendation
Table 7 shows that the concrete mix with anahaw to be conducted by future researchers who want to improvise
Fiber at 7 and 14 days of curing has a significant relationship the study.
between the compressive strength of concrete and the level of 1. Future researchers are recommended to maximize the
significance at 0.05 was rejected. duration of curing days to get higher compressive
The computed Chi-square or the Pearson R of 12.0 is strength of each sample.
greater than the Critical Chi-square value at 11.090 at the 0.05 2. Future researchers are recommended to use another
level of significance of the Df 9. This indicates the rejection process, such as the percent of Fiber is dependent on
of the null hypothesis. This means that the Appropriate mix the volume of the sample cylinder. In other words,
design with anahaw Fiber has a significant relationship with future researchers are recommended to use percent in
the compressive strength of concrete. volume.
3. Future researchers are recommended to consider the
Table 8. Strength Requirements fiber geometry in which the anahaw Fiber should be
Type or Location of Concrete Specified cut to the exact length.
Construction Compressive 4. Future researchers are recommended to dry the
Strength, PSI anahaw Fiber between 5-7 days so that before mixing
Concrete Fill Below 2000 the anahaw Fiber into concrete, it will be scorched.
Thin Reinforced Sections 1000 5. Future researchers should try the anahaw Fiber mixed
Railings 1000 on CHB, including its standard specification and
sizes.
Precast R.C. Piles and Cribbing 1000
6. The researchers recommended that time management
and organizational skills are crucial in doing
Filler in Steel Grid Floors 1000
experimental research because there are various
processes, specifications, and target goals.
Table 8 shows the strength requirements, the type or
location of concrete construction, and their specified
compressive strength expressed in psi. Based on the findings,

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 International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science
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