ABSTRACT(may or may not be included in the paper)

There is a growing interest in the development of new materials which enhance optimal
utilization of natural resources, and particularly, of renewable resources. This paper presents a
summary of the knowledge on banana trunk fiber in mesh form as reinforcement in cement board.
Vegetable fibres, specifically banana trunk fiber represent a good alternative as non-conventional
materials for the construction of ecological and sustainable buildings. The use of such renewable
resources contributes to the development of sustainable technologies. The main objective of the
paper is to emphasize the use of banana fiber in mesh form as reinforcement to cement board that
may be used in building parts such as ceiling board, wall partition or even slab covering. The
botanical, chemical, physical, morphological and mechanical properties of banana trunk fiber are
described. The interaction between the two materials are presented, the banana fibre and the
Hyrdraulic Cement for it is the the most commoly used in making the cement board and some
construction.

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Many shortcomings due to high density and poor recycling properties were seen in glass fiber
and reinforced plastics for cement board fortification. The possible substitution of synthetic fiber by
natural fiber are widely being researched and done. Similar to abaka and sasil which is already
proven to be good as reinforcement to cement board and also widely produced in the Philipines, the
banana trunk fiber, can show its potential too. Whats good in this type of reinforcement is that,
banana trunk fiber are less abrasive and can be easily produced, they are renewable and availability
is unlimited, Hence not degrading the property of a certain cement board such as flexure, toughness
and control of cracking. Even early days simple ideas compared to this is being generated, examples
are Egyptians used straw in making mud bricks in 1200-1400BC (Exodus5:6). In 2500 BC, asbestos
fibers are used in Finland to make clay pots. Hornero bird native to South America builds nests out
of straw and clay (Mehta, 2006)
The researchers goal is to prove that a specific alternative material, specifically banana trunk
fiber can be used as a reinforcement to cement board which has different uses in construction and
buildings such as ceiling board, wall partition or even slab covering

and that it can comply and

pass to different factor and standards of a cement board. The researcher also sees that the study if
proven could help the environment with regards to scarcity of materials and the economy of the
Philippines as well, especially to the economy of the devastated areas due to typhoons last 2013.
Banana plant not only gives the delicious fruit but it also provides textile fiber, the banana
fiber. It grows easily as it sets out young shoots and is most commonly found in hot tropical

climates. All varieties of banana plants have fibers in abundance. Banana fibers obtained from the
stem of banana plant (Musa Sapientum) have been characterized for their diameter variability and
their mechanical properties, with a stress on fracture morphology. Banana fibres were extracted from
the stems of banana plant. Longitudinal slices were prepared from stems and fed to fiber extracting
machine.

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Increasing environmental concerns resources calls for new green eco-friendly materials.
Among various cellulosic natural fibers are envisioned as the most suitable ways to solve these
problems especially environment related issues. Banana trunk fiber is one of natural fiber that is
usually used for different materials and purposes. There are already some researches that the banana
bunches, is capable of producing composite fiber boards for use in construction according to
University of the Philippines Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, who conducted a
study on the plant. Although there is no researcher has yet seriously studied the capability of a
banana trunk fiber in mesh form as reinforcement to cement board which can be used variously in
civil engineering works such as wall panels, ceiling works, siding, backer board and etc. Several
studies has shown the properties of the banana trunk fiber. The potential of fibres as reinforcement in
cement board materials have been well recognized such as abaka and sasil. Many researchers have
shown the strength of such fibers. The banana trunk fiber has an identical properties from the abaka
and sasil .However the banana trunk fiber itself being widely produced in some places and its
properties being proven has not been tested yet for the said cement panel purposes.

STATEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES

General objectives
This study aims to determine the effect of banana fibre in mesh form as reinforcement in
cement board.
Specific objectives
1. To determine the effect of said fibre reinforcement to flexural strength of cement board.
2. To determine the number of fibre mesh layer that can provide the strongest banana fibre
reinforced cement board.
3. To determine corresponding water absorption for each sample.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
To the economy, since the Philippines is one of the tropical countries and the availability of
the Banana is more abundant in this country, for that reason the new purpose of the plant can
facilitate production cost for the manufacturers and increase the income of the insufficiently paid
banana farmers in the Philippines.
To the construction industry, we also believe that this study will benefit the construction
industry through the help of new methodology that bounds in this research. With the use of
renewable raw material like banana fibre as reinforcement will contribute greatly in the industry
because of the availability, especially in the future when scarcity in some construction material
occur.

For the environment, the banana extraction in some plantations will decrease due to recycling
of banana trunks to a useful way in the process of making it as a natural fibres in cement board, thus
the results of our study will benefit our future for having an eco-friendly environment.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

RESOURCES INPUT

MATERIAL
INPUT

LABOR
AND
ENERGY

RESEARCHES
AND RELATED

STUDIES

PROCESS

PREPERATION
OF
MATERIAL

CUTTING OF
BANANA FIBER
TO DESIRED
LENGHTS

CEMENT
BOARD

OUTPUT

FLEXURAL
STRENGTH

IMPACT ENERGY
TEST

WATER
ABSORPTION

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

PREPARATION
OF
CEMENT MOLD

The researchers aspire to introduce alternative eco-friendly reinforcing fiber that contribute
additional potency to cement board.
The principal objective of this study is to develop banana fiber reinforced cement board.
Fiber will be cut to desired length for each sample and mix proportions. The fiber will act as main
reinforcement to provide additional strength to the board. Several testing will be conducted to
determine the effect of the said fiber, such as water absorption impact test and flexural strength test.
The study will concentrate more on flexural strength of the board. The tests will be applied for each
mix proportions of water, cement and fiber that is embedded in the board.