CHAPTER 3:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2009-2010

CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter discussed the research methodology, project design, project development,
operation and testing procedures and also the evaluating procedures that will be used for this
research.

Research Method
This research will be using the ACI Mix Design Standard for normal concrete in
computing the design mix: volume of water, the weight of cement, sand and gravel, and the
ASTM standards for the physical and mechanical testing of fine and coarse aggregates.
Experimental method will be used in this study to investigate and evaluate the effect of
natural fibers when added to normal concrete in different percentage. There will be a series of
trials that will be conducted in this research. If the first trial failed to attain the objective of this
research, another trial will be conducted until the objectives were attained. Every trial will have
the same design mix as computed based on the ACI standards, the fiber-cement ratio; which is
the independent variable in this research will be the one that will be evaluated.
This research attributed the change in workability, consistency and compressive strength
to the effect of the fiber- cement ratio in the concrete mixture in different percentage.

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The figure below shows the flowchart done to arrange and explain all the main activities which
will be carried out all throughout the research.
DECIDE TOPIC AND
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
LITERATURE REVIEW

COLLECTING OF RAW MATERIALS

EXTRACTING OF FIBERS
SELECTING TYPE OF CEMENT, FINE
AND COARSE AGGREGATES
MIX PROPORTIONS (ACI Design
Standards)
WATER / CEMENT RATIO
PERCENTAGE OF FIBERS
LABORATORY RESEARCH
PREPARING & SELECTING
RESEARCH INFORMATION
DATA COLLECTION
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
TESTING OF SPECIMENS
DATA ANALYSIS
SPECIMENS COMPARISON
PREPARE REPORT ON RESEARCH

RESEARCH
PRESENTATION

Figure 3.1: Flow chart (Project Design and Development)

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Quality Test of Fine and Coarse aggregates

The fine and coarse aggregates will be tested first to determine the physical and
mechanical properties; the specific gravity, moisture content, water absorption, abrasion, unit
weight and the fineness modulus of sand that will be needed for the design mix.
Proportioning the trial mix based on ACI Mix Design Method for normal concrete
Choice of slump
If slump is not specified, a value appropriate for the work can be selected in the table
below:
.

Table 3.1: Choice of slump

Type of construction
Reinforced foundation walls and footings
Plain footings, caissons and substructure walls
Beams and reinforced walls
Building columns
Pavements and slabs
Mass concrete

Slump
(mm)
25-75
25-75
25-100
25-100
25-75
25-50

(inches)
1-3
1-3
1-4
1-4
1-3
1-2

*Slump may be increased when chemical admixtures are used, provided that the admixture-treated concrete has the
same or lower water-cement or water-cementitious material ratio and does not exhibit segregation potential or
excessive bleeding.

Choice of maximum size of aggregate

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Large nominal maximum sizes of well graded aggregates have less voids than smaller
sizes. Hence, concretes with the larger-sized aggregates require less mortar per unit volume of
concrete. Generally, the nominal maximum size of aggregate should be the largest that is
economically available and consistent with dimensions of the structure. In no event should the
nominal maximum size exceed one-fifth of the narrowest dimension between sides of forms,
one-third the depth of slabs, nor three-fourths of the minimum clear spacing between individual
reinforcing bars, bundles of bars, or pretensioning strands. These limitations are sometimes
waived if workability and methods of consolidation are such that the concrete can be placed
without honeycomb or void. In areas congested with reinforcing steel, post-tension ducts or
conduits, the proportioner should select a nominal maximum size of the aggregate so concrete
can be placed without excessive segregation, pockets, or voids. When high strength concrete is
desired, best results may be obtained with reduced nominal maximum sizes of aggregate since
these produce higher strengths at a given water-cement ratio.
In this research, the maximum size of the aggregates will be , approximately 19mm in
diameter.

The quantity of water per unit volume of concrete required to produce a given slump is
dependent on: the nominal maximum size, particle shape, and grading of the aggregates.
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Table 3.2: Estimation of mixing water and air content

Mixing water Quantity in kg/m3(lb/yd3) for the listed Nominal
Maximum Aggregates Size
9.5mm
Slump

(0.375i
n.)

12.5mm

19mm

25mm

37.5mm

50mm

75mm

100mm

(0.5in.)

(0.75in.)

(1in.)

(1.5in.)

(2in.)

(3in.)

(4in.)

154

130

113

Non-Air-Entrained PCC
199
190
179
166

25-50

207

(1-2)
75-100

(350)
228

(335)
216

(315)
205

(300)
193

(275)
181

(260)
169

(220)
145

(190)
124

(3-4)
150-175

(385)
243

(365)
288

(340)
216

(325)
202

(300)
190

(285)
178

(245)
160

(210)

(6-7)
Typical entrapped

(410)
3

(385)

(360)

(340)

(315)

(300)

(270)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0.3

0.2

148

142

122

107

air (percent)

Air-Entrained PCC
175
168
160

25-50

181

(1-2)
75-100

(305)
202

(295)
193

(280)
184

(270)
175

(250)
165

(240)
157

(205)
133

(180)
119

(3-4)
150-175

(340)
243

(325)
228

(305)
216

(295)
202

(275)
190

(265)
178

(225)
160

(200)

(6-7)

(410)

(300)

(270)

Mild Exposure
Moderate

4.5

(385)
(360)
(340)
(315)
Recommended Air Content (percent)
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

6.0
5.5
Exposure
Severe exposure
7.5
7.0
Selection of water-cement ratio

5.0

4.5

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

6.0

6.0

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

Table 3.3: Water cement ratio for Normal Concrete

Water-cement ratio by weight

28-Day Compressive Strength

in MPa (psi)

Non-Air-Entrained

Air-Entrained

41.4 (6000)
34.5 (5000)
27.6 (4000)
20.7 (3000)

0.41
0.48
0.57
0.68

0.40
0.48
0.59

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13.8 (2000)

0.82

2009-2010

0.74

Cement content
The cement content will be computed based on the below formula:

Estimation of coarse aggregate content

Aggregates of essentially the same nominal maximum size and grading will produce
concrete of satisfactory workability when a given volume of coarse aggregate, on an ovendryrodded basis, is used per unit volume of concrete.
Table 3.4: Volume of coarse aggregate per unit of volume of concrete
Nominal Maximum
2.40
0.50
0.59
0.66
0.71
0.75
0.78

Aggregate Size
9.5mm(0.375inches)
12.5mm(0.5inches)
19mm(0.75inches)
25mm(1inches)
37.5mm(1.5inches)
50mm(2inches)

Fine Aggregate Fineness Modulus

2.60
2.80
0.48
0.46
0.57
0.55
0.64
0.62
0.69
0.67
0.73
0.71
0.76
0.74

3.00
0.40
0.53
0.60
0.65
0.69
0.72

Estimation of coarse aggregate content

With the quantities of water, cement, and coarse aggregate established, the remaining
material comprising the m3 of concrete must consist of fine aggregate and whatever air will be
entrapped. The required fine aggregate may be determined on the basis of either weight or
absolute volume.
Table 3.5: First Estimate of mass of fresh concrete
Nominal Maximum size of
aggregate, mm
9.5
12.5
19
25

First estimate of concrete unit mass, kg/m3

Non-air-entrained concrete
Air-entrained concrete
2280
2310
2345
2380

2200
2230
2275
2290
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37.5
50
75
150

2410
2445
2490
2530

2009-2010

2350
2345
2405
2435

Adjustments for aggregate moisture

The aggregate quantities actually to be weighed out for the concrete must allow for
moisture in the aggregates. Generally, the aggregates will be moist and their dry weights should
be increased by the percentage of water they contain, both absorbed and surface. The mixing
water added to the batch must be reduced by an amount equal to the free moisture contributed by
the aggregate.

Collection and Preparation of Raw Materials

Cement
Locally produced Type 1 Portland cement will be used in the investigation of composite
materials. The table below shows the chemical composition of typical Type 1 Portland cement
Table 3.6: Chemical composition of Portland cement
Constituent
Lime (CaO)
Silica (SiO2)
Alumina (Al2O3)
Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)
Magnesia (MgO)
Sulfur Trioxide (SO3)
(P2O5)
(N2O)
Loss of ignition

Percentage by weight
62.561
19.757
5.591
3.393
1.233
2.382
0.078
0.019
2.144
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Water
In the production of concrete, water plays an important role. The water that will be used
should not contain any substance that might affect the hydration of cement and affect the
durability of concrete. Generally, drinking water from the tap will be used for the concrete mix.
Fine and Coarse aggregates
The aggregate component of a concrete mix occupies 60 to 80 percent of the volume of
concrete, and heir characteristics influence the properties of concrete. The coarse aggregates that
will be used have an approximately 19mm in size. The gravel is then first passed through sieves
to get the desired maximum 19-mm diameter gravel. Fine aggregates commonly known as sand
should comply the requirements of the American Concrete institute (ACI) mix design method.
The sand and gravel are kept in the laboratory to dry before being used.

Figure3.2: sieving of coarse aggregates

Natural Fibers
Extracted fibers of coconut coir, sugarcane, banana, and pineapple are cut with a scissor
to a length of approximately 1cm. The fibers are then dried at room temperature for couple of
hours so as to remove the absorbed water.
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(a) Abaca

(b) Coconut coir

(c) Pineapple

2009-2010

(d) Sugarcane bagasse

Figure 3.1: natural fibers

Test Specimens
The cement composites for testing will be prepared in the form of cylinders with
dimensions of 150mm in diameter and 300mm high for compression test. 27 specimens will be
made and tested for the first trial mix.
Table 3.2: distribution of specimens for first trial

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For the second trial batch mix, the fiber content will be 0.10% and 0.15%, there will be a
total of 27 specimens, these will be distributed as follows:
Table 3.3: distribution of specimens for second trial

Slump Test
A slump test is performed on all batches to measure the workability of the fresh concrete
in accordance with ASTM C 143-78 (slump test of Portland cement concrete). This test is used to
monitor the consistency of the mixture from batch to batch.

Curing of test specimens

Specimens are cured in accordance with ASTM C 31-84, standard method of making and
curing concrete test specimen in the field. The specimens will be cured in water tank before
testing.

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Figure 3.3: curing of cylinders

Compressive Strength Test

The ASTM C 39-86, standard method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete
specimens for plain concrete is also applies to concrete containing coir fibers, sugarcane
baggase, pineapple, and abaca fibers. In this method, a concentric compressive force is applied to
the ends of a 150mm diameter concrete cylinder with a height of 300mm at a constant rate of
5kn/sec until failure will occur at the load P. the compressive strength fc in N/mm2 (MPa) will
be calculated by

Compressive strength
Where:
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P = ultimate compressive load of concrete (KN)

A = surface area in contact with the plates ( mm2)

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