Evaluación de factibilidad para uso de suelo cemento reforzado con fibras de coco como material constitutivo de paneles de mampostería

Abstract

The present investigation presents the results determined when evaluating the mechanical behavior of a soil-cement matrix reinforced with coconut fibers and with pumice stone particles. Compressive strength, diametrical compressive stress, and flexure specimens were fabricated in accordance with ASTM C 39 and NTE INEN 1573, ASTM C 496, NTE INEN 3128, respectively. A production method with a mixer was used, obtaining a random distribution and orientation of the reinforcements. The mechanical properties were analyzed with reinforcement concentrations relative to the amount of cement for the fibers as: 1: 0.025, 1: 0.05, 1: 0.10 and 1: 0.15. The mechanical tests determined that the reinforcement with fibers 1: 0.05 presented the best results, so it was determined to use this concentration for the material reinforced with particles and coconut fibers with a volumetric fraction of 0.4 and 0.2 respectively. Finally, the composite material for a prefabricated panel was produced by adjusting the proportions to increase the volumetric fraction of particles to 0.55, maintaining the concentration of fiber reinforcement. The determined results were compared with the properties of a lightweight concrete.