Caracterización de hormigones compuestos con fibra de estopa de coco usando dos tratamientos químicos para disminuir su degradación.

Abstract

The purpose of this qualification work is to study the physical and mechanical behavior of concrete with the addition of 0.5% and 1% coconut fiber, which has been subjected to two chemical treatments in order to reduce its degradation. The coconut fibers were extracted from the raw material and cut into 4 cm lengths. Subsequently, the fibers were subjected to two chemical treatments. The first was immersion in 4% NaOH solution, and the second treatment was coating with arabic gum and silica fume. At the same time, 50 samples of fibers were taken both in their natural state and post-treatment, which were tested at the EPN Polytechnic Textile Center. The dosage was prepared for design strengths of 210 and 240 kg/cm2, so that the percentages of 0.5% and 1% volume of coconut fiber, for the two treatments chosen, replaced the respective volume of coarse aggregate. Cylinders without fiber and with the post-treatment fibers were prepared in the facilities of the Laboratory of Strength of Materials, Soil Mechanics, Pavements and Geotechnics of PUCE, with which the compression and modulus of elasticity tests were carried out. The cylinders with 1% addition of fibers had the best performance for design strengths of 210 kg/cm2, including the cylinders without fibers. Those with 0.5% addition of fibers presented better performance for the 240 kg/cm2 dosage, although lower than the cylinders without fibers.