UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

(CoET)

DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

ENGINEERING.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF BAMBOO FIBER

REINFORCEMENT ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF NORMAL-
STRENGTH CONCRETE: COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, FLEXURAL
STRENGTH, AND CRACK CONTROL

CE 498: FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1

Rajabu, Faraji A. 2020–04–10542

BSc in Civil engineering.
Dr. H.L. Kalenga.
 i

DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT

1, Faraji A. Rajabu, declare that this dissertation is my own original work and that it has not

been presented and will not be presented to any other University for a similar or any other

degree award.

Signature ------------------------------------------

This dissertation is copyright material protected under the Berne Convention, the Copyright
Act 1999 and other international and national enactments, in that behalf, on intellectual
property. It may not be reproduced by any means, in full or in part, except for short extracts
in fair dealings, for research or private study, critical scholarly review or discourse with an
acknowledgement, without the written permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies,
on behalf of both the author and the University of Dar es Salaam.
 ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, praises and thanks to God, the Almighty, for giving me the strength,
knowledge, ability, and opportunity to undertake this project and complete this part
satisfactorily.

I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my project supervisor, Dr. Lwitiko
H. Kalenga, for giving me the opportunity and providing invaluable guidance throughout this
project. His dynamism, vision, sincerity, and motivation have deeply inspired me. It was a
great privilege and honor to work and study under his guidance. I am extremely grateful for
what he has offered me. I would also like to thank him for his friendship, empathy, and great
sense of humor.

I am extremely grateful to my parents for their love, prayers, caring, and sacrifices for
educating and preparing me for my future. My Special thanks go to my friend and colleague
for their keen interest shown to complete this project successfully.

Finally, my thanks go to all the people who have supported me to complete this project work
directly or indirectly.
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ABSTRACT

Bamboo has emerged as a popular choice for reinforcing concrete, especially in simple
construction, due to its impressive tensile strength. Additionally, its quick growth rate makes
it a sustainable resource for construction projects. However, bio-based materials such as
bamboo can be sensitive to moisture and durability concerns when used in construction. To
address these issues, chemical treatments are necessary to safeguard against insects and
pesticides and ensure long-lasting durability. By using bamboo fibers as a natural
reinforcement in concrete, energy consumption can be minimized, non-renewable resources
protected, pollution reduced, and the environment maintained. This study aims to collect and
review data on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete, with a particular focus on
compressive strength, flexural strength, and crack control. By varying the orientation, length,
and dosage of bamboo fibers used as a natural reinforcement in normal-strength concrete, this
research seeks to optimize the material's performance.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT ...................................................................................... i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .........................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................. vi
LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................vii
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... viii
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Statement of The Problem ............................................................................................... 3
1.2 Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................................... 6
LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 6
2.1 INTRODUTION .............................................................................................................. 6
2.2 OVERVIEW OF FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE.................................................. 6
2.3 PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO ......................................................................................... 7
2.4 BAMBOO FIBRES REINFORCED CONCRETE ......................................................... 8
2.5 MIX DESIGN AND PROPORTIONING ....................................................................... 8
2.6 TEST METHODS AND STANDARDS ......................................................................... 8
2.7 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ................................................................................. 9
2.8 KNOWLEDGE GAP AND RESEARCH NEEDS .......................................................... 9
2.9 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 9
CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................. 10
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Research design ............................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Materials and equipment ................................................................................................ 10
3.3 Sample preparation ........................................................................................................ 13
3.4 Sample testing ................................................................................................................ 14
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3.5 Data Collection Techniques: .......................................................................................... 16

3.6 Data Analysis Methods: ................................................................................................. 17
3.7 Experimental Parameters: .............................................................................................. 17
3.8 Quality Control and Assurance: ..................................................................................... 18
3.9 Ethical Considerations: .................................................................................................. 18
3.10 Limitations: .................................................................................................................. 19
3.11 Drawing Conclusion: ................................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................... 20
WORK PLAN SCHEDULE AND BUDGET PLAN ............................................................. 20
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 21
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

OPC Ordinary Portland Cement

ACI American Concrete Institute
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
EN European Norms
BS British Standards
C Stands for compressive strength
 vii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Typical properties of various selected plant fiber bundles. ......................................... 7

Table 2: work plan schedule .................................................................................................... 20
Table 3: budget plan................................................................................................................. 20
 viii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: A hybrid steel reinforced fresh normal strength concrete. ......................................... 2

Figure 2: processing bamboo tree to bamboo strips ................................................................ 10
Figure 3: Processing bamboo strips to fibers. .......................................................................... 11
 1

1. INTRODUCTION

Conventional plain concrete is a popular building material due to its strength, durability,
versatility and is known to be strong in compression. Addition to that concretes also have
some structural disadvantages. Its use is limited however because of its low tensile strength
(Archana et.al, 2020). In fact, the tensile strength is often less than 1/10 to 1/20 of the
compressive strength. Additionally, concrete exhibits brittle failure and unfavorable fracture
behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to use materials that possess high tensile strength and the
ability to absorb tensile stresses and cracks in order to construct durable structures.

Steel fibers are frequently used to improve the strength and durability of concrete. This is
because they possess remarkable tensile strength and have a strong bonding behavior with
concrete. However, due to the current state of the global economy, the cost of steel
reinforcement has increased, leading to a rise in the overall cost of construction. As the
primary material for traditional construction becomes more expensive, the total cost of
construction is bound to increase as well.. Manufacturing of 1kg steel may produces 1.85 tons
of carbon dioxide to environment, which is almost 8% of global carbon emissions, while
using bamboo emits 80 times less carbon dioxide compared to steel (Kathiravan et.al, 2020).

The practice of using composite materials in concrete to improve its strength and meet design
requirements has been prevalent for many years. Natural fibers, including coir, sisal, bamboo,
water reed, elephant grass, and palm fibers, consist of continuous filaments sourced from
plants or animals. Natural plant fibers are used due to their low density, mechanical properties
with flexural, durability, sustainability and biodegradability (Lin et.al, 2020). These fibers
possess high resistance to cracking, resulting in improved impact strength and toughness.
They can be woven or twisted into sheets and used as a lightweight reinforcement due to their
flexibility and renewability, enhancing the load-bearing capacity, ductility, and toughness.

Bamboo fiber is an old-time introduced material in fiber-reinforced concrete. Bamboo, as a

renewable building material, can minimize energy consumption, protect non-renewable
natural resources, reduce pollution, and maintain a healthy environment (Syazwani, 2022).
Also, they have been used in a variety of industrial sectors, including textiles, paper, and in
construction sector.
 2

Bamboo fibres have recently regained popularity as a way as reinforcement or reduce the use
of nonrenewable resources (Dewi et.al, 2017). However, it is important to have a
comprehensive understanding of the behavior of bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete, especially
in terms of compressive strength, flexural strength, and crack control. This will help optimize
the usage of bamboo fibers in concrete mix designs.

Figure 1: A hybrid steel reinforced fresh normal strength concrete.

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1.1 Statement of The Problem

Concrete has been a preferred construction material since the discovery of Portland cement in
the mid-19th century. However, it may crack and fail to achieve its intended strength if it is
not properly designed or mixed. To address these issues, numerous studies have investigated
different materials, such as natural fibers like bamboo, as potential reinforcements in
concrete.

Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial flowering plants that belong to the
subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae (Mcclure, 1966; Canavan et al., 2017;
Ahmad et al., 2021). They are one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, with some
species capable of reaching heights up to 30 m and diameters of 35 cm (Tanaka et al., 2003;
Moza and Koul, 2022). There are more than 1500 species of bamboo in over 110 genera
worldwide (Ohrnberger and Goerrings, 1985; Subramaniam, 1998). A total of 36 million
hectares, or 3.2% of the world's total forest area, are covered by bamboo stands (Lobovikov et
al., 2007).

Building sustainable infrastructures brings forth the idea of using environmentally friendly
materials such as bamboo fibers in concrete reinforcement. However, a design framework for
bamboo reinforced concrete is still in its uncertainties in the properties of bamboo, concrete
and bond between. The following work focus on developing a methodology for mix design of
concrete incorporated with bamboo fibers considering the randomness of the major variables.

Despite the potential benefits of reinforcing concrete with bamboo fibers, there is a lack of
detailed knowledge regarding the optimal orientation, length, and dosage of these fibers.
Further investigation is needed to understand the specific effects of these parameters
collectively on the compressive strength, flexural strength, and crack control of bamboo fiber-
reinforced concrete. Such understanding will facilitate the effective and efficient utilization of
bamboo fibers in concrete, ultimately contributing to the development of sustainable and
durable concrete structures.
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1.2 Objectives

Project objectivity is divided into main objective and specific objectives. The main objective
is a broad overview of the project's overall aim, while specific objectives are more detailed
and focus on particular outcomes or actions needed to achieve the main objective.

1.2.2 Main Objective

The main objective of this project is to provide recommendations for the practical implementa
tion of bamboo fiber reinforcement in normal-strength concrete.

1.2.1 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are:

i. To determine the optimal orientation of bamboo fibers (random, aligned, or hybrid) in the
mix design of normal-strength concrete.

ii. To investigate the influence of different fiber lengths (varying from short to long) on the
compressive strength, and crack control of bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete.

iii. To evaluate the effect of varying fiber dosages on bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete's
mechanical properties and durability.

1.3 Scope of the Study

This research project aims to evaluate the properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced normal-
strength concrete through laboratory experiments. The study will mainly focus on
determining the optimal fiber orientation, length, and dosage by conducting comprehensive
tests on concrete specimens. The results of this study will provide insights into the effects of
these variables of bamboo fiber reinforcement on the compressive strength, flexural strength,
and crack control of concrete. This study will contribute to the understanding of the potential
of bamboo fibers as a sustainable alternative to traditional reinforcements.
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1.3 Significance of the Study

This study will provide detailed information about the findings of this research project to
guide engineers and designers in incorporating bamboo fibers effectively in concrete mix
designs, leading to more durable and sustainable construction practices.
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CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUTION

This chapter focuses on establishing the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of the study.
Moreover, the chapter will encompass an overview of prior studies carried out on the topic of
prestressed concrete.

2.2 OVERVIEW OF FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

Concrete is a widely used construction material that is made by mixing cement, water, and
aggregates such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone. Due to some of the poor characteristics of
traditional concrete, such as limited ductility and low tensile strength, it is occasionally
reinforced with fibres or polymers in addition to reinforcement bars (Prakash et.al, 2022).
Although reinforcement bars aid in the mechanical characteristics of concrete, they may not
sufficiently prevent excessive cracking.

One of the best methods to limit crack width is to employ fibres in concrete (Srividhya et.al,
2021). Fibres are crucial in preventing the concrete drawbacks listed above in addition to
crack arrestment (Adetukasi et.al, 2019). To improve qualities including ductility, crack
resistance, tensile and flexural strength, a variety of fibre types can be added to concrete
mixtures (Shorba et.al, 2020). Widely utilized fibre types in cement-based materials include
steel, glass, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, and carbon (Özkılıç et.al, 2021) Additionally,
high-performance concrete's toughness and strength are improved at various levels with fibres
such steel and polyvinyl alcohol fibre (Ju et.al, 2022). Industrial steel fibres are pricey, too,
and their use raises the cost of fiber-reinforced concrete (Vijayakumar et.al, 2012). Because of
this, using reused or recycled waste fibres in concrete is becoming more popular (GÜLmez
et.al, 2021). In addition to being environmentally beneficial, waste fibres function nearly as
well as conventional industrial fibres (Meddah et.al, 2009). Bamboo fibers, which are known
for being eco-friendly, are conventionally used as a reinforcement in concrete.
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2.3 PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO

Bamboo is a highly renewable resource that can be treated using various techniques to create
durable construction materials. Concrete is commonly used as the construction worldwide for
many years due to its ability to withstand large compressive stresses (Banu et.al, 2019). Its
use is limited however because of its low tensile strength (Archana et.al, 2020). Bamboo fiber
reinforced concrete is a composite material that consists of natural bamboo fibers of varying
lengths and diameters, as well as different fractions. These fibers are environmentally
friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective, with a lower density. Similar to glass fiber, bamboo
fiber is lightweight, biodegradable, and inexpensive. This research intends to adopt the use of
bamboo fibre in concrete to study its strength properties (Awoyera et.al, 2019).

Jain et al. (2015) observed that bamboo can be used as a substitute for steel in tension loading
applications due to its high tensile strength, which can reach up to 370 N/mm².Though
bamboo is strong in tension, prior investigations showed little possibility of replacement of
steel by bamboo due to its low elastic modulus, poor bond with concrete, high water
absorption potential, and low durability (Archana, 2020; Awoyera, 2019; Shyamala, 2020;
Poongodi K, 2020). When bamboo is used as reinforcement in wet concrete, it tends to
absorb water which causes it to swell. However, the bamboo shrinks as the concrete dries out.
To overcome this challenge, Mansur et al. (2015) introduced water-sealing agents that can
reduce the absorption capacity of bamboo. Nowadays, most of the other issues associated
with bamboo reinforcement can be significantly improved by subjecting the bamboo to
appropriate treatments.

Table 1: Typical properties of various selected plant fiber bundles including bamboo
(Franck et.al, 2005).

Fiber Cellulose (%) Relevant MFA (º) Tensile strength Modulus of

(N/mm2) elasticity
(N/mm2)
Flax 70 7 1000 60,000
Hemp 65 4 700 50,000
Sisal 65 17 450 40,000
Coir 35 45 150 5,000
Bamboo 60 8 400 35,000
 8

2.4 BAMBOO FIBRES REINFORCED CONCRETE

Different studies have examined the impact of bamboo fibers on normal strength concrete in
order to provide recommendations for their use in the construction industry to improve
concrete properties.

2.5 MIX DESIGN AND PROPORTIONING

Ilaro et al. (2022) performed a mix design and proportioning study on the reinforcement of
concrete using bamboo fibers. The procedure involved the following steps. Machine mixing
was employed for convenient handling of bamboo fiber. The cubes (225mm x 225mm x
225mm) of both control and fiber reinforced concrete specimens were cast. Samples were
cured for 28 days in water after 24 hours of their casting and still 48 hours before testing.
Bamboo fiber was added at varying percentages (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) of concrete. It
was mixed in concrete homogeneously, and longer-sized fibers were chosen to reduce the
number of fibers per kg to avoid workability problems. Overall, the study involved casting
concrete cubes, curing them, and testing them for workability and compressive strength with
varying percentages of bamboo fiber added to the concrete mix.

2.6 TEST METHODS AND STANDARDS

Ilaro et al. (2022) conducted a study on the use of bamboo fiber to reinforce concrete. They
used several test methods and standards, including the slump test for measuring workability,
compressive strength testing, mix design, curing, and mechanical properties testing. The
concrete mix was designed according to standard procedures, taking into account the varying
percentages of bamboo fiber added. The specimens were cured for 28 days in water, following
standard procedures for concrete testing. The mechanical properties of the bamboo fiber
reinforced concrete were evaluated using standard methods for testing concrete materials.
 9

2.7 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The key findings regarding the compressive strength of the concrete cubes with
bamboo fiber addition. The compressive strength of concrete with 0.1% addition of
bamboo fibre showed a 29% decrease at 28 days with reference to the control. At
2% bamboo fibre addition, there was an observed 4.3% gain in strength, indicating
that bamboo fibre showed good potential and increased strength as it bears more
load compared to conventional concrete (Ilaro et.al, 2022). Adding bamboo fiber to
concrete improves its compressive strength, making it a promising material for
construction.

2.8 KNOWLEDGE GAP AND RESEARCH NEEDS

Ilaro et al. (2022) didn’t investigate the type and specie of bamboo fibers they were
investigating, also couldn’t determine the influence of bamboo fiber orientation and length in
the normal strength concrete.

2.9 CONCLUSION

At 2% bamboo fibre addition there was an observed 4.3% gain in strength. Workability
decreases with the increase in the percentage of bamboo fibre. Bamboo fibre showed good
potential and increased strength as it bears more load as compared to conventional concrete.
The fibers acts as a crack resistor, hence take up a lot more load as compared to the
conventional concrete. The study concludes that the inclusion of fibers improves the
mechanical properties of the concrete which is an innovative low-cost material that can be
promoted in the construction field (Ilaro et.al, 2022).
 10

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research design

To investigate the effect of reinforcing normal-strength concrete with bamboo fiber, a

methodology is both qualitative and quantitative and involve a combination of theoretical
analysis and experimental testing.

3.2 Materials and equipment

3.2.1 Materials:

1. Bamboo: Natural bamboo fibers are manually extracted from locals in northern
Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region, and then treated with epoxy.

Figure 2: processing bamboo tree to bamboo strips

 11

Figure 3: Processing bamboo strips to fibers.

2. Concrete Mix: The concrete mix will be C25, composed of Ordinary Portland
cement (OPC), fine and coarse aggregates, and water, according to American
Concrete Institute (ACI) 211.1 standard practice.

3. Admixtures: This may involve the use of additives to improve workability,

strength, or durability, depending on the limitations of the laboratory.

4. Testing Standards: This could include standards like ASTM C192 from
organizations like ASTM International or relevant national standards, such as the
American Concrete Institute (ACI) 211.1 standard practice.
 12

3.2.2 Equipment:

1. Mixing Equipment: laboratory-scale mixer with a capacity of 20 liters and

specifications according to the ASTM C192 for mixing concrete specimens in the
laboratory.

2. Molding Equipment: Equipment will be used for molding the concrete samples,
such as steel molds or plastic molds.

3. Curing Chamber: Samples will be cured in an open chamber that is half-filled with
distilled water. The ideal temperature should be between 10°C and 30°C, and the
relative humidity should range between 50% and 80%.

4. Testing Equipment: To assess the compressive strength, flexural strength, and

crack control of bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete, various testing equipment will
be employed. These tools include a compression testing machine, also known as a
universal testing machine, a flexural testing machine (also referred to as a three-
point bending test machine), a digital imaging system, and strain gauges.

5. Data Collection Tools: Some of the equipment we use includes data loggers,
weighing scales, thermometers, moisture meters, load testing equipment, and strain
gauges.

6. Safety Equipment: Safety equipment necessary for handling and working with
concrete, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), gloves, safety glasses, or
respirators will be used.
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3.3 Sample preparation

3.3.1 Concrete Cube Preparation:

i. Size and Dimensions: The size and dimensions of the standard concrete
cubes will be prepared. Typically, concrete cubes are 150 mm (6 inches) on
each side.

ii. Molding Procedure: This may involve cleaning and lubricating the cube
molds, filling them with the prepared concrete mix, and compacting the
mix using a vibrating table or other suitable method.

iii. Number of Cubes: According to ASTM C39, the compression strength test
requires a minimum of 33 cubes to control the orientation, length, and
content of bamboo fibers in the normal strength concrete, depending on the
specific requirements of the study.

iv. Curing Conditions: To properly cure the samples, it is recommended to use

an open chamber that is filled halfway with distilled water. The ideal
temperature range for curing is between 10°C and 30°C. A moist room at a
temperature of 23 +/- 2ºC is the most recommended method as per ASTM
C192 and AASHTO T23. Additionally, it is important to maintain a
relative humidity level between 50% and 80% to prevent moisture loss.

3.3.2 Laboratory Beam Preparation:

i. Size and Dimensions: Aa per ASTM C78 or EN 12390-5 the standard

dimensions are typically around 100 mm (4 inches) wide, 150 mm (6
inches) deep, and a length between 400 mm (16 inches) to 700 mm (28
inches).

ii. Molding Procedure: This involves cleaning and lubricating the beam
molds, filling them with the prepared concrete mix, and compacting the
mix using suitable methods, such as vibration or manual rodding.
 14

iii. Number of Beams: Six standard laboratory beams will be used to check for
flexural strength and crack control, based on the statistical significance and
specific requirements of this study.

iv. Curing Conditions: The curing conditions for the laboratory beams will be
the same as the concrete cubes.

3.4 Sample testing

3.4.1 Compressive Strength Testing:

i. Test Standard: The compressive strength testing will be conducted by the

ASTM C39 test standard and EN 12390-3.

ii. Sample Preparation: This includes removing the cubes from the curing
conditions, ensuring they are at room temperature, and removing any
excess moisture from the surfaces.

iii. Testing Procedure: To test the strength of a cube, it is usually placed

between two plates of a compression testing machine. A gradually
increasing load is applied to the cube until it fails, which normally takes
around 2-5 minutes. The load is increased at a constant rate of 0.2 Mpa/s to
0.6 Mpa/s (29 psi/s to 87 psi/s), and the maximum load at failure is
recorded. the maximum load applied should not exceed 90% of the
expected ultimate load

iv. Number of Tests: Three compressive strength tests will be performed for
each bamboo fiber orientation, length, and content in the reinforced
concrete sample based on statistical significance and specific study
requirements.
 15

v. Data Collection: This project will require documentation of all data

collected, including load values, deformation measurements, specimen
dimensions, and failure mode for analysis.

3.4.2 Flexural Strength Testing:

i. Test Standard: The standards used for flexural strength testing include
methods such as ASTM C78 (using a simple beam with Third-Point
Loading), AASHTO T97, and BS EN 12390-5.

ii. Sample Preparation: This includes removing the beams from the curing
conditions, ensuring they are at room temperature, and removing any
excess moisture from the surfaces.

iii. Testing Procedure: To test the strength of a beam, it is usually placed on

supports and gradually loaded at the midpoint until it fails. The maximum
load at failure and the corresponding deflection are recorded. The amount
of incremental load applied depends on the expected ultimate load.

iv. Number of Tests: Three flexural tests will be conducted on plain concrete
beams, and three on bamboo-reinforced concrete beams at the optimum
fiber orientation and dosage. The choice will be based on statistical
significance and specific study requirements.

v. Data Collection: Data will be documented and recorded, including the

maximum load at failure, corresponding deflection, flexural strength test
results, and any other relevant data.
 16

3.4.3 Crack Control Evaluation:

vi. Visual Inspection: During the inspection, visually examine bamboo fiber-
reinforced concrete for any visible cracks on the surface and record their
location and extent to ensure crack control.

vii. Crack Measurement: This may involve the use of crack gauges or other
measuring tools to determine the width and length of cracks.

viii. Crack Monitoring: This may involve periodic inspections and

measurements to document crack propagation and control during loading.

ix. Data Collection: It is important to document the results of the evaluation of

crack control. This includes any observations, measurements, or
photographic evidence.

3.5 Data Collection Techniques:

i. Experimental Measurements: Collect quantitative data by measuring the relevant

parameters during the testing procedures. For example, record the maximum load
at failure during compressive and flexural strength tests, as well as deflection
values during flexural tests. Ensure accurate and consistent measurement
techniques using appropriate instruments such as load cells, strain gauges, or
displacement transducers.

ii. Visual Observations: Conduct visual inspections to collect qualitative data on

crack formation and crack control. Take photographs or videos to document the
appearance and progression of cracks over time. Consider using crack gauges or
other measurement tools to quantify crack width and length.
 17

iii. Documentation: Maintain detailed records of the experimental conditions, sample

preparation procedures, testing parameters, and any other relevant information.
This will help ensure reproducibility and facilitate data analysis.

3.6 Data Analysis Methods:

i. Descriptive Statistics: Calculate descriptive statistics such as mean, standard

deviation, and range for the collected data. These statistics provide a summary of
the central tendency and variability of the results.

ii. Graphical Representation: Create graphs, charts, or plots to visually represent the
data. This can help identify trends, patterns, or relationships between variables.
Common graphical representations include bar graphs, line graphs, scatter plots,
and histograms.

iii. Interpretation and Conclusions: Interpret the results of your data analysis in light
of the objectives. Drawing meaningful conclusions based on the findings and
discussing the implications of the results for the field of bamboo fiber-reinforced
concrete.

3.7 Experimental Parameters:

i. Fiber orientation: Consider varying the fiber orientation to assess their impact on
performance.

ii. Fiber Length: Explore the influence of fiber length on the properties of bamboo
fiber-reinforced concrete. Test different fiber lengths (e.g., 20 mm, 40 mm, 60
mm) to determine the optimal length for improving the performance of the
concrete.
 18

iii. Fiber Content: Consider varying the fiber content in your concrete mix to
investigate the effect of different fiber concentrations on the mechanical properties
and crack control of bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete. These different percentages
of fiber content (e.g.,0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%) to assess their impact on
performance.

3.8 Quality Control and Assurance:

i. Standardized Procedures: Establish standardized procedures for sample

preparation, testing, and data collection to ensure consistency and reliability in
your experimental process.

ii. Calibration: Regularly calibrate testing equipment, such as compression testing

machines and flexural strength testing apparatus, to ensure accurate and precise
measurements.

iii. Replicates: Multiple replicates for each experimental condition to enhance the
statistical significance of the results. This will help validate the findings and
reduce the influence of random variations.

3.9 Ethical Considerations:

i. Informed Consent: The research involves obtaining informed consent from human
participants, ensuring their understanding of the study's purpose, procedures, and
potential risks, and following ethical guidelines. Institutional review board
approvals may be necessary.

ii. Material Sourcing: Considering the environmental and social impact of sourcing
bamboo fibers and other materials. Ensuring sustainable sourcing practices and
adhere to any relevant ethical guidelines.
 19

3.10 Limitations:

i. Sample Size: The number of samples tested may be limited due to time, budget, or
resource constraints. This limitation can affect the statistical power and
generalizability of your results.

ii. Testing Conditions: The findings may not be applicable to real-world scenarios
due to limitations of laboratory-scale testing conditions.

iii. Time Constraints: The limitation of a research project's duration affects the scope
of experimentation and data collection. It is important to acknowledge time
constraints and discuss how they may impact the comprehensiveness of the study.

iv. External Factors: External factors like temperature, humidity, and other
environmental conditions can affect the performance of bamboo fiber-reinforced
concrete. Therefore, these factors should be discussed as potential limitations and
their impact on the validity of the results should be considered.

3.11 Drawing Conclusion:

Conclusions and recommendations will be provided based on the outcomes of tests regarding
the use of bamboo fibers in reinforcing normal strength concrete.

In summary, investigating the effect of bamboo fibers in concrete reinforcement will require a
combination of theoretical analysis and experimental testing. The ultimate goal is to provide
guidance to engineers and designers in effectively incorporating bamboo fibers in concrete
mix designs, resulting in more sustainable and durable construction practices.
 20

CHAPTER FOUR

WORK PLAN SCHEDULE AND BUDGET PLAN

4.1 Work Plan Schedule

The schedule provided below is a general estimate and can be customized according to the
particular needs of the research project.

TIMELINE
SEMESTER I SEMESTER II
S/N ACTIVITY NOV DEC JAN FEB MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY
1 Developing Research Proposal
2 Title Defending
3 Literature Review
4 Presentation Progress 01
5 Presentation Progress 02
6 Proposal Report Writing
7 Proposal Report Submission
8 Semester I Final Presentation
9 Experimental Planning & Preparation
10 Data Collection & Analysis
11 Discussion of Results
12 Research Report Writing
13 Research Report Submission
14 Semester II Final Presentation

Table 2: work plan schedule

4.2 Budget Plan

The budget plan provides a detailed breakdown of the different expenses associated with the
research project, including costs for materials, data collection and analysis, transport
expenses, as well as any other miscellaneous expenses that may arise during the study.

S/N DESCRIPTION AMOUNT (TSHS)

1 Internet, Books & Stationery 200,000.00
2 Transport Fare 50,000.00
3 Materials & Testing 250,000.00
4 Emergencies 100,000.00
TOTAL COST 600,000.00

Table 3: budget plan

 21

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