Cogent Engineering

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Strength behaviour of Corn Husk Ash polymer

concrete reinforced with coconut fibre

Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, Peter Paa Kofi Yalley & Augustine Sam |

To cite this article: Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, Peter Paa Kofi Yalley & Augustine Sam | (2021)
Strength behaviour of Corn Husk Ash polymer concrete reinforced with coconut fibre, Cogent
Engineering, 8:1, 1993511, DOI: 10.1080/23311916.2021.1993511

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1993511

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Published online: 28 Oct 2021.

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Appiah-Kubi et al., Cogent Engineering (2021), 8: 1993511
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1993511

MATERIALS ENGINEERING | RESEARCH ARTICLE

Strength behaviour of Corn Husk Ash polymer
concrete reinforced with coconut fibre
Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi1*, Peter Paa Kofi Yalley2 and Augustine Sam2

Received: 4 December 2020

Abstract: The strength behavior of Corn Husk Ash polymer concrete reinforced with
Accepted: 11 October 2021 coconut fibre was investigated in this study. The study assessed the suitability of
*Corresponding author: Emmanuel using coconut fibre in concrete to improve its strength properties. The concrete was
Appiah-Kubi, Constuction and Wood prepared and cured based on British Standard. Different proportions of the coconut
Technology Department, Akenten
Appiah-Menka University of Skills fibre as well as the Corn Husk Ash (CHA) polymer were used in the concrete mixes,
Training and Entrepreneurial
Development, Kumasi, Ghana
with a total of nineteen different mix proportions. The specimens were cured for 28,
E-mail: [email protected] 90 and 180 days. Compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, torsion and
Reviewing editor: toughness were determined using specimens from the various mixes. Tests were
Ian Philip Jones, Metallurgy &
Materials, The University of
conducted on the 28th, 90th and 180th days of curing, following (Compression) and
Birmingham, United Kingdom (Tensile Splitting). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was conducted to determine
Additional information is available at the differences in the behavior of the different mixes as well as the correlation
the end of the article
between the different constructs. The addition of coconut fibre to the concrete
improved the toughness, torsion and to some extent the tensile strength of the
concrete at the standard curing age of 28 days. CHA as an additive to the concrete
resulted in a positive relationship with the Torsion and Toughness properties of
concrete at later curing age at 1% level of significance (r = 0.480 and r = 0.730,
p < 0.01 respectively). Compressive strength of concrete correlated positively with
tensile strength, torsion and toughness of concrete (r = 0.830, r = 0.721 and
r = 0.452 respectively with p < 0.01).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Dr. Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi is a Senior Lecturer at The study assessed the possibility of using coco­
the Department of Construction and Wood nut fibre in concrete to improve its strength
Technology at the Akenten Appiah-Menka properties, as well as find use for the volumes of
University for Skills Training and Entrepreneurial agricultural residues including coconut fibre and
Development, Kumasi, Ghana. He is a member of corn husk which would otherwise be wasted.
the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and Corn husk ash was used as an admixture in the
a Professional Engineer. He has experience in con­ concrete to protect coconut fibres from degra­
crete technology and has designed several concrete dation. The addition of coconut fibre to concrete
and reinforced concrete structures, design and improved the strength properties of the concrete.
construction of timber and bamboo structures. He The increase in toughness, torsion and the ten­
conducts research into properties of construction sile strength could be attributed to the fact that,
materials including concrete, laterite, wood, bam­ the fibre presence in the concrete contributed
boo and other wood-based materials for efficient greatly in offering restraint to early twist or strain
Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi utilization. Together with a team he is working on in the concrete. The introduction of coconut fibre
utilizing agricultural residues and local materials in in concrete for construction is therefore recom­
composite building materials to reduce the cost of mended with the addition of corn husk ash
housing in Ghana. He is a member of ISO Technical polymer. This concrete can be used for housing in
Committee - ISO/TC 165 for Timber Structures as rural communities with abundance of the agri­
well as an expert for INBAR and belongs to INBAR cultural residues, to reduce the rising cost of
Task Forces for Bamboo Construction and Rattan. building.

© 2021 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons
Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

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Subjects: Biomaterials; Composites; Polymers & Plastics; Concrete & Cement

Keywords: coconut fibre; corn husk ash; strength; toughness; concrete

1. Introduction
Concrete made with Ordinary Portland cement is strong in compression but weak in tension and tends
to be brittle. The weakness in tension can be overcome using materials that are good in tension such
steel bars and sufficient quantities of certain fibres. The addition of fibres could change the perfor­
mance of the fibre-matrix composite, resulting in the enhancement of the energy absorption capacity,
of concrete (Momoh & Osofero, 2020). The addition of fibres could improve the bonding of reinforcing
bars and thus enhance the bearing capacity and other performance attributes of the reinforced
concrete (Zhou et al., 2020). The prevention of shrinkage cracks may contribute to reduction in the
material permeability as well (Gutierrezi et al., 2005). Synthetic and natural fibres have both been used
to improve the performance of concrete (Al-Oraimi & Seibi, 1995). The use of synthetic fibres however
have adverse effect on the environment. According to CoDyre et al. (2018), synthetic fibres have high
environmental impact. The authors cited carbon and glass fibres production as having energy con­
sumption values of 355 MJ/kg and 31.7 MJ/kg respectively. P. P. Yalley and Kwan (2009) suggested
natural fibres as close substitute to synthetic fibres. Natural fibres exhibit a wide range of tensile
strength and stiffness with low energy requirements. Natural fibres such as flax, palm fibres, coconut
fibres, etc. have been used in concrete to improve its properties. The fibres from coconut, palm, sisal,
flax, straw, bamboo, jute and cane have a long history of use since they are readily available and can
easily be procured from the natural environment (Hejazi et al., 2012). Ku et al. (2011) postulated that
flax fibres has tensile strength between 500 and 1500 N/mm2, modulus of elasticity of 25,600 N/mm2
and an embodied energy of 2.75 MJ/kg. P. P. Yalley and Kwan (2009) used coconut fibre to enhance
concrete and the toughness of the concrete was improved, however, the long-term durability was not
studied. The coconut fibres that were used were from Ghana. The motivation for the use of the coconut
fibres, according to P. P. Yalley and Kwan (2009) were their availability and cheaper cost.

Gutierrezi et al. (2005) proposed that the fibre-reinforced concrete characteristics could be
improved by including supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The most common SCMs
presently used are silica fume, granulate blast furnace slag and fly ash (Co Dyre et al., 2018).
Adding pozzolanic by-products to Portland cement are effective in preventing degradation of
natural fibres. This is because cement based polymers tend to dilute the alkaline content in the
cement hence improving the durability of the concrete fibre composite (Zhang & Li, 2013). There
has been an increase in research on the usage of cementitious polymers which are economically
and environmentally friendly (P. P. K. Yalley & Asiedu, 2013). The areas that P. P. K. Yalley and
Asiedu (2013) gave adequate attention included the use of agricultural materials as alternative
cementitious polymers, and opined that corn husks are readily available, has no economic value
and an environmentally friendly material.

In the view of Halm et al. (2004), corn is the largest staple food in Ghana as it accounts for 50–
60% of the total cereals produced. It currently has an annual production of 1.7 million metric tons
indicating a growth rate of 13.33%, which accounts for more than 4% of the country’s agricultural
gross domestic product. A study by Ahenkora et al. (1999) revealed that corn husk is used as human
food and silage for animals. Despite having been associated with many applications in Ghana, it is
disposed-off along with corn stalk and leaves either by burning or tilling into the soil (P. P. K. Yalley &
Asiedu, 2013). As a way of ensuring a sustainable use, this study focused on ways of utilizing corn
husk in fibre-concrete production with the aim of improving the strength characteristics in the long
term. The utilization of corn husk ash (CHA) as a cementitious material to supplement cement to
improve the strength of fibre-reinforced concrete was investigated in this research.

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2. Materials and methods

2.1. Materials
Ordinary Portland Cement from Ghana Cement Limited was used. They were produced in accor­
dance with the requirements of (BS EN 197-1, 2011). Natural sand and crushed granite of max­
imum size 10 mm were used as aggregates for the concrete production following (BS EN 12620,
2002). Water used for the concrete conformed to (BS EN 1008, 2002). The coconut fibres with
aspect ratio of 125 were used based on the recommendations of P. P. Yalley and Kwan (2009). The
corn husk ash as a cementitious polymer conformed to (BS EN 450-1, 2012).

The chemical composition of the Ordinary Portland Cement and the Corn Husk Ash used in the
study is presented in Table 1.

2.2. Concrete preparation and methods

Mixing, casting, compaction and curing were based on (BS EN 206, 2013). Slump height were taken
as a grading for workability of the concrete. Appropriate super-plasticizer was added to the
concrete to maintain a standard workability. Different proportions of the coconut fibre as well as
the CHA polymer were used in the concrete mixes. There was a control mix (specimens without
fibres and CHA polymer) labelled as mix A, and mix Ci/j (specimens with i% fibre and j% CHA
polymer). A total of 19 different mix proportions were thus cast for the study. The mix proportions
for each of the mixes are listed in Table 2. Steel moulds with dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm
x 100 mm were used for casting cubes for compressive strength test, 100 mm x 200 mm cylinders
were cast for tensile splitting and torsion tests. Three (3) specimens were cast for each test for all
the days of testing. In all 342 specimens of cubes and cylinders were cast. The concrete cubes and
the cylinders were removed from the moulds 24 hours after casting and immersed in water for
curing. The specimens were tested on the 28th, 90th and 180th days of curing.

2.3. Compressive strength test

Three cubes and three cylinders from each mix were tested for compression in line with (BS EN
12390-3, 2019) at day 28, 90 and 180 after casting using a GD10A compression testing machine
with a maximum capacity of 2500KN (Figure 1).

2.4. Tensile splitting strength test

Tensile splitting strength test was conducted following (BS EN 12390-6, 2009). In the splitting
tensile tests cylindrical specimen were subjected to splitting tension along their axis. 100 mm
x 200 mm cylinders were used for the test.
The tensile splitting strength was calculated by the formula:

fct ¼ 2F=ðπLdÞ (1)

Table 1. Chemical composition of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Corn Husk Ash (CHA)
Oxide Composition OPC (%) CHA (%)
SiO2 19.70 28.89
Al2O3 5.00 17.51
Fe2O3 3.16 11.04
MgO 1.75 1.2
CaO 63.30 0.6
Na2O 0.20 0.05
K2O 0.16 36.16
SO3 0.28 0.14
P2O5 - 2.7

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Table 2. Different mixes and Mix proportions (quantities) used in the study
Serial No. Specimens Binder (kg) Aggregates (kg) Fibre content Water
(kg) (Kg)
Cement CHA Coarse Fine
1 A 1.4 0 3.8 2.5 0 0.77
2 C 0.25/0 1.4 0 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
3 C 0.5/0 1.4 0 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
4 C 0.75/0 1.4 0 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77
5 C 0.25/10 1.26 0.14 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
6 C 0.5/10 1.26 0.14 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
7 C 0.75/10 1.26 0.14 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77
8 C 0.25/15 1.19 0.21 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
9 C 0.5/15 1.19 0.21 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
10 C 0.75/15 1.19 0.21 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77
11 C 0.25/20 1.12 0.28 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
12 C 0.5/20 1.12 0.28 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
13 C 0.75/20 1.12 0.28 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77
14 C 0.25/25 1.05 0.35 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
15 C 0.5/25 1.05 0.35 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
16 C 0.75/25 1.05 0.35 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77
17 C 0.25/30 0.98 0.42 3.8 2.5 0.035 0.77
18 C 0.5/30 0.98 0.42 3.8 2.5 0.07 0.77
19 C 0.75/30 0.98 0.42 3.8 2.5 0.105 0.77

Figure 1. Compressive strength

test set up.

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where
fct is the tensile splitting strength, in Newton per square millimetre
F is the maximum load, in Newton
L is the length of the line of contact of the specimen, in millimetres
d is the diameter of the cylinder, in millimetres.

2.5. Torsion test

The samples for the torsional test were first roughened at the ends with grinder. Steel rings, with Poly
paste applied to the inner perimeter, were fixed to each end of the samples. The Poly paste then dried
and hardened and formed a strong bond between the rings and the concrete. The samples were
tested after one day of preparation. The steel rings had protruding radial arms, which could be
pushed to induce a torque in the concrete cylinder. The cylinder was set up as shown in Figures 2
and 3. A twisting load was applied, and the load and respective angle of displacements were record
The applied torque, T is given by:

T ¼ PT Z (2)

where,
PT = applied load causing torsion (N), (see Figure 2).
Z = Distance between the point of application of the load and the centre of the cylinder (mm).
(Z = 0.13 m)

3. Result and discussion

3.1. Behaviour under compression

Figure 4 shows the variation of compressive strength for plain concrete and concrete with CHA
content containing three different coconut fibre contents. Discussions are based on the average
results of three samples tested.

Figure 2. Specimen for torsion

test.

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Figure 3. Torsion test setup.

Figure 4. Compressive strength 40

of specimens with fibre but
without CHA polymer. 35
Compressive strength (N/mm2)

30

25
0% CF
20
0.25% CF
15 0.50% CF
0.75% CF
10

0
28 90 180
Curing Age (Days)

3.1.1. Influence of coconut fibre content on compressive strength

At the normal curing age of 28 days, there was an average reduction of 11%, 23% and 26%
respectively in compressive strength for concrete with 0.25% (C0.25/0), 0.5% (C0.5/0) and 0.75%
(C0.75/0) fibre content but without CHA polymer as shown in Figure 4. It was further noted that
at latter age of 90 days and 180 days, the compressive strengths of the specimens with fibre
addition but without CHA polymer deteriorated further compared to the plain concrete. The
reduction in the compressive strengths were 34%, 21% and 37% lower than the plain

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concrete at the 180th day. The plain concrete however, increased in strength with increasing
curing age.

The additional reduction of concrete with coconut fibre but without cementitious polymers (CHA)
might be due to the fact that the coconut fibres might have absorbed more water during the six-
month immersion in water, causing unstable volume and subsequent poor cohesion between the
fibre-matrix interface.

3.1.2. Influence of CHA on compressive strength

At constant fibre weight fractions, Concrete specimens with 20% CHA polymer had the highest
compressive strength at all the curing ages (Figures 5, 6 and 7). For all the CHA polymer content,
specimens with 0.5% CF content had the highest compressive strength at both 90 and 180 days
curing ages. At the 28-day curing age, the compressive strength of the plain concrete was higher
than all the specimens with CHA polymer replacement. It was also noted that at the 28-day curing
age, the compressive strengths reduced with increase in the CHA polymer content. A higher CHA
polymer content meant lower content of OPC, hence lower early age strength, since the OPC
performs relatively better at early ages than pozzolanic polymers. This agrees with findings of
Dembovska et al. (2017).

The specimens with CHA polymer content provided better performance in compressive strength
at 90th day and 180th day curing. This could be explained that the CHA polymers diluted the
alkaline content in the cement hence improved the strength of the concrete fibre composite with
time. From Figures 5, 6 and 7, at the same coconut fibre content, specimens with 20% CHA
polymer content had the highest compressive strength at the latter ages.

The addition of fibres, however, adversely affected the compressive strength. This might be due
to the difficulties in compaction which consequently created voids in the concrete specimens. The
further decrease in the compressive strength of fibre reinforced concrete at the 90th and 180th day
testing period might be due to the degradation of the fibres in the alkaline environment of the
concrete resulting in high volume of voids and hence reduction in the compressive strength.
Adding pozzolanic by-products (CHA polymer) to OPC was effective in preventing degradation of
natural fibres and possible reduction of the permeability of the concrete leading to reduction in
bleeding and thus increased the compressive strength at the latter ages (Ramakrishna & Sundara,
2005; Romildo et al., 2000).

Figure 5. Compressive strength 50

of specimens with CHA Polymer 45
and 0.25% Coconut Fibre.
40
Compressive strength (N/mm2)

35
0%CHA
30
10%CHA
25
15%CHA
20
20%CHA
15
25%CHA
10
30%CHA
5
0
28 90 180
Curing age (Days)

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Figure 6. Compressive strength 60

of specimens with CHA Polymer
and 0.50% Coconut Fibre.
50

Compressice strength (N/mm2)

40
0%CHA
10%CHA
30
15%CHA
20%CHA
20
25%CHA
30%CHA
10

0
28 90 180
Curing Age (Days)

Figure 7. Compressive strength 45

of specimens with CHA Polymer
40
and 0.75% Coconut Fibre.
Compressive strength (N/mm2)

35

30
0%CHA
25 10%CHA

20 15%CHA
20%CHA
15
25%CHA
10 30%CHA

0
28 90 180
Curing Age (Days)

3.2. Tensile strength

3.2.1. Influence of coconut fibre (CF) on tensile strength

Figure 9 compares the tensile strength of specimens with the three fibre weight fractions (0,25,
0.50 and 0.75%) without the CHA polymer. For higher percentages (0.5% and 0.75%) of coconut
fibre without CHA polymer content, the cylindrical specimens had only cracks in the specimen, but
did not split into two halves like those of the plain concrete as shown in Figure 8. In other words,
the fibre weight fraction of 0.25% did not improve the splitting tensile strength and resulted in the
reduction of an average of 23% for the concrete at the 28th day curing age as indicated in Figure 9.
At the 180th day of curing, the tensile strength had reduced by an average of 25% from the initial
tensile strength for all fibre weight fractions. The CF might have degraded creating more voids,
hence the decrease in the tensile strength of concrete specimens without the CHA polymer.

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Figure 8. Concrete specimens

after splitting tensile test.

0.75% CF concrete

0.25% CF concrete

0.5% CF concrete
Figure 9. Tensile strength of 4
specimens with Coconut Fibre
3.5
(CF) without CHA Polymer.
Tensile strength (N/mm2)

3
0% CF
2.5
0.25% CF
2 0.50% CF
1.5 0.75% CF

0.5

0
28 90 180
Curing Age (Days)

3.2.2. Influence of CHA on tensile strength

At constant fibre weight fractions, specimens with 20% CHA polymer had the highest tensile
strength at all the curing ages (Figures 10, 11 and 12). The tensile strength of the specimens
increased with increasing percentage of the CHA polymer up to 20%. The tensile strength reduced
with further increase in the CHA amount (i.e. 25% and 30%). At the 180th day, the tensile strength,
was on the average 9%, 21%, 54%, 40% and 28% higher than the 28th day strength for specimens
with 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% CHA polymer content respectively. This then implied that the
pozzolanic reaction in the CHA polymer was effective at the latter age of curing. The best
performing specimens were those with 0.5% CF and 20% CHA polymer contents, and it was
about 40% higher over the plain concrete after 180 days of curing.

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Figure 10. Tensile strength of 5

specimens with CHA Polymer 4.5
and 0.25% Coconut Fibre (CF).
4

Tensile strength (N/mm2)

0% CHA
3.5
10%CHA
3
15%CHA
2.5
20%CHA
2
25%CHA
1.5
30%CHA
1
0.5
0
28 90 180

Curing Age (Days)

Figure 11. Tensile strength of 7

specimens with CHA Polymer
Tensile strength (N/mm2)

6
and 0.50% Coconut Fibre (CF).
5 0%CHA
10%CHA
4
15%CHA
3 20%CHA
25%CHA
2
30%CHA
1

0
28 90 180

Curing Age (Days)

Figure 12. Tensile strength of 6

specimens with CHA Polymer
and 0.75% Coconut Fibre (CF). 5
Tensile strength (N/mm2)

0%CHA
4
10%CHA
15%CHA
3
20%CHA
2 25%CHA
30%CHA
1

0
28 90 180

Curing Age (Days)

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Table 3. Average torsion and toughness of specimens under different CF and CHA combinations
Specimens Torsion, N/mm2 Toughness, N/mm2
28 days 90 days 180 days 28 days 90 days 180 days
C0/0 285.0 256.5 250.8 0.88 0.53 0.48
C 0.25/0 313.5 275 250.4 0.96 0.64 0.64
C 0.50/0 322.0 283.36 241 1.04 0.68 0.68
C 0.75/0 311.5 265.4 218 0.90 0.58 0.58
C 0.25/10 312.0 302.0 300.0 0.88 0.70 0.70
C 0.50/10 318.8 312.8 308.8 0.98 0.78 0.78
C 0.75/10 303.5 298.5 290.5 0.81 0.76 0.76
C 0.25/15 302.0 302.0 302.0 0.84 0.68 0.68
C 0.50/15 311.5 311.5 311.5 0.83 0.67 0.67
C 0.75/15 292.0 292.0 292.0 0.84 0.68 0.68
C 0.25/20 287.5 287.5 287.5 0.86 0.85 0.85
C 0.50/20 303.5 303.5 303.5 1.19 1.17 1.17
C 0.75/20 282.0 282.0 282.0 1.06 1.06 1.06
C 0.25/25 271.5 271.5 271.5 1.09 1.06 1.06
C 0.50/25 292.0 292.0 292.0 1.11 1.09 1.09
C 0.75/25 277.5 277.5 277.5 1.08 1.07 1.06
C 0.25/30 263.5 263.5 263.5 1.07 1.07 1.07
C 0.50/30 282.0 282.0 282.0 1.09 1.07 1.07
C 0.75/30 271.5 271.5 271.5 1.07 1.06 1.07

3.3. Behaviour under torsion

The behaviour of coconut fibre-reinforced polymer concrete under pure torsion was investigated.

When fibre was added to plain concrete the torsion strength increased by between 10% and
20% (Table 3). The optimum fibre weight fraction was 0.5%, beyond which the torsional strength
started to decrease. For the same fibre content, results showed that there was an optimum CHA
polymer content of 20% for 28, 90 and 180 days. Specimens without CHA polymers lost between
12% and 37% of their torsional strength on the 180th day. It was noted that the specimens with
CHA polymers were able to maintain their torsional strength at the latter days of curing. This could
be attributed to the fact that the CHA polymer was efficient in protecting the fibre hence the
specimens resisted the twist due to torsion. It could also be deduced that the fibres were solely
responsible for the torsional strength. The CHA was only responsible for protecting the fibres from
being decomposed by the hydration by-product of the cement matrix.

3.4. Toughness
Generally, coconut fibre-reinforced concrete could absorb much more energy before failure com­
pared with the plain concrete at all curing ages (Table 3). The optimum weight percentage of fibre
and CHA polymer for this investigation were 0.5% and 20% respectively (C0.5/20). The total area
under torsion-twist curve, which measures toughness, increased substantially with the addition of
coconut fibre, by between 10% and 36% at all curing ages, resulting in a more ductile behaviour. It
was noted again that specimens without the inclusion of CHA polymer lost their energy absorbing
capacity at the 180th day of curing. Nanayakkaza et al. (2005) explained that the high lignin
content of natural fibres is responsible for enhanced toughness in fibre reinforced concrete. The
lignin content is responsible for stiffening the cell-wall of the fibre preventing embrittlement of the
fibres. The toughness of the specimens with CHA polymers were maintained with slight increase in

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specimens with higher percentage of CHA polymers. The improvement in ductility is more pro­
nounced in specimen with fibre weight fraction of 0.5% and CHA polymer content of 20%.

3.5. Correlation among construct

Table 4 shows that at the 5% level of significance, coconut fibre added to concrete production has
a positive relationship with the torsion property of concrete (r = 0.321, p < 0.05). On the other hand,
corn husk ash as an additive to concrete resulted in a positive relationship with the Torsion and
Toughness properties of concrete at later curing age at 1% level of significance (r = 0.480 and
r = 0.730, p < 0.01 respectively). Curing days as a determiner of hardened concrete properties was
also found to increase the compressive and tensile strengths as well as the torsion and toughness
properties of concrete with CHA at a unit increment of the curing days. It is worth noting that
coconut fibre had a negative relationship with the compressive strength however it was not
statistically significant (r = −0.062, p > 0.05). It is again observed in Table 4 that compressive
strength of concrete correlated positively with tensile strength, torsion and toughness of concrete
(r = 0.830, r = 0.721 and r = 0.452 respectively with p < 0.01).

3.6. Corn husk ash influence on compressive strength at 180 days of curing
It is worth noting in Table 5 that, compressive strength of concrete was significantly credible at the
age of 180 days of curing due to the presence of corn husk ash in the concrete. The corn husk ash
was found to significantly compensate the strength loss due to the presence of pores caused by
the coconut fibre in the concrete. This was found to be true in the ANOVA generated by the model
using stepwise regression analysis which makes it adequate to predict the strength of concrete
(F = 8.661, p < 0.05). Thus, the coefficient of multiple determination, R2 shows that, corn husk ash
explains about 34% of the variations in the compressive strength of fibre concrete at 180 days of
curing. That is, one percent increment in the corn husk ash will result in 0.325 N/mm2 increment in
the compressive strength of concrete (t = 2.943, p < 0.05). The minimum contribution supports the
fact that, strength of concrete largely depends on the basic concrete materials, other than the
additives. The predicting model is hence given as

Table 4. Correlation among study construct

Coconut Corn husk Curing Compressive Tensile Torsion Toughness
fibre ash days strength strength
Coconut fibre 1 0.177 0.000 −0.062 0.046 0.321’ 0.222
Corn husk ash 1 0.000 0.211 0.024 0.480” 0.730”
Curing days 1 0.738” 0.494” 0.571” 0.027
Compressive 1 0.830” 0.721” 0.452”
strength
Tensile strength 1 0.662” 0.402”
Torsion 1 0.584”
Toughness 1
‘P < 0.05 and “P < 0.01.

Table 5. Regression coefficients of compressive strength of fibre concrete at 180 days curing
Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig. Collinearity
Coefficients Coefficients Statistics
B Std. Error Beta Tolerance
1 (Constant) 26.993 2.082 12.964 .000
Corn husk ash .325 .110 .581 2.943 .009
Coconut fibre −.100 −.489 .631 .969
R2 = 0.338 (Adjusted R2 = 0.299); F = 8.661, p < 0.05.

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Table 6. Regression coefficients of tensile strength of fibre concrete at 180 days of curing
Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig. Collinearity
Coefficients Coefficients Statistics
B Std. Error Beta Tolerance
1 (Constant) 2.742 .269 10.205 .000
Corn husk ash .036 .014 .520 2.510 .022
Coconut fibre −.143 −.666 .515 .969
R2 = 0.270 (Adjusted R2 = 0.227); F = 6.299, p < 0.05.

Table 7. Regression coefficients of torsional strength of fibre concrete

Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig. Collinearity
Coefficients Coefficients Statistics
B Std. Error Beta Tolerance
1 (Constant) 1.127 .104 10.854 .000
Corn husk ash .026 .006 .752 4.705 .000
Coconut fibre .154 .943 .360 .969
R2 = 0.566 (Adjusted R2 = 0.540); F = 22.135, p < 0.01.

Table 8. Regression coefficients of toughness at 180 days of curing

Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig. Collinearity
Coefficients Coefficients Statistics
B Std. Error Beta Tolerance
1 (Constant) 280.180 10.711 26.159 .000
Corn husk ash 3.085 .568 .796 5.428 .000
Coconut fibre .003 .020 .984 .969
R2 = 0.634 (Adjusted R2 = 0.613); F = 29.465, p < 0.01.

fcu180 ¼ 26:993 þ 0:325CHA (3)

where fcu180 is the compressive strength at the 180th day of curing

Table 6 shows that, corn husk ash contributes an increase of 0.036MPa to the tensile strength of
fibre concrete at one percent increase in CHA (t = 2.943, p < 0.05). The coefficient of multiple
determination, R2 shows that, corn husk ash explains about 27% of the variation in the tensile
strength of concrete. The predicting model is found to be adequate for doing so due to the ANOVA
value, F = 6.299, p < 0.05. Coconut fibre was excluded in the model due to its insignificant
contribution to the strength of the concrete (t = −0.666, p > 0.05).

Table 7 presents how much corn husk ash explains the variations in the torsional strength of
concrete. It is noted that, at one percent increase in the corn husk ash, the torsional strength of
fibre concrete increased at 0.026MPa (t = 4.705, p < 0.01) whereas the coconut has no significant
contribution to the torsional strength of concrete hence excluded from the predicting model
(t = 0.943, p > 0.05). However, the ANOVA analysis indicates the model can adequately be used
to predict the strength of fibre concrete (F = 22.135, p < 0.01). The coefficient of multiple
determination, R2 shows the corn husk explains about 57% of the variations in the strength of
concrete. The predicting model is hence given as

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Tc180 ¼ 1:127 þ 0:026CHA (4)

Where Tc180 is the torsional strength at the 180th day of curing.

Table 8 further prove significant contribution of corn husk ash on the toughness of fibre concrete
at 120 days of curing. Thus, it is found from Table 7 that, corn husk ash explains about 63% of the
variations in the toughness of concrete (R2 = 0.634) with coconut fibre excluded from the model
due to insignificant contribution to the predicting model (t = 0.02, p > 0.05). That is, at one percent
increment of corn husk ash in the concrete, the toughness will increase at 3.085 unit (t = 5.428,
p < 0.01). The predicting model is given as

To180 ¼ 280:18 þ 3:085CHA (5)

Where To180 is the toughness at the 180th day of curing.

4. Conclusion
The addition of coconut fibre to concrete improved the toughness, torsion and to some extent the
tensile strength of the concrete at the standard curing age of 28 days. The increase in toughness,
torsion and the tensile strength could be attributed to the fact that, the fibre presence in the
concrete contributed greatly in offering restraint to early twist or strain in the concrete. It is also
clear that the coconut fibres suffered no harm in the alkaline pore water in the concrete due to the
presence of CHA polymer, hence, much energy is needed to de-bond and stretch the fibres even at
later age, and hence, higher concrete toughness on the 180th day of testing. The corn husk ash in
the mix contributed significantly to the toughness of fibre concrete as well as the compressive
strength. The corn husk ash was found to compensate the strength loss due to the presence of
pores caused by the coconut fibre in the concrete. The introduction of coconut fibre in concrete for
construction is therefore recommended with the addition of corn husk ash polymer.

Acknowledgements Disclosure statement

The authors appreciate the contribution and support of The authors declare that they have no competing
the technicians at the laboratories of Construction and interests.
Wood Technology Department, Akenten Appiah-Menka
University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Availability of data and materials
Development, Kumasi Campus. The datasets used and/or analysed during the current
study are available from the corresponding author on
Funding reasonable request.
The authors have no funding to report.
Citation information
Author details
Cite this article as: Strength behaviour of Corn Husk Ash
Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi1
polymer concrete reinforced with coconut fibre,
E-mail: [email protected]
Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, Peter Paa Kofi Yalley & Augustine
ORCID ID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2783-0202
Sam, Cogent Engineering (2021), 8: 1993511.
Peter Paa Kofi Yalley2
E-mail: [email protected]
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