Development of coconut fiber with the addition of fly ash for cement panel application in construction

Abstract

Natural fibers exist in large quantities and have been classified as waste materials. Coconut fiber is one of them and it is used as addition in fabrication of cement panel. Industrial waste materials such fly ash is currently used as composition in construction materials development. This research is aimed to combine the industrial waste (fly ash) and natural fiber (coconut fiber) in developing new cement panel. In this research, 2 cm of coconut fiber length is used with addition of fly ash and cement in different composition. Samples are cured for three numbers of days (3, 7, and 28) to compare their strength and maturity between one another and cut into the desired shape for testing. Those testing that will be carried out are water absorption, moisture content, density test, thermal exposure and compressive strength.