OPTIMIZATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF WASTED SOFT DRINK CAN FIBER NON-LOAD BEARING CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS

Abstract

The need to find solutions to recycle waste is becoming increasingly important as the amount of waste generated increases year after year. Thus, this study aims to enhance the durability and compressive strength of non-load-bearing concrete hollow blocks (CHB) with the inclusion of recycled soft-drink cans fibers as reinforcement. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to model the relationship between the response and the factors considered. RSM was also used to determine the optimal mix proportion of the fiber content and fiber length in CHB to develop a model that could yield maximum compressive strength. As a result, the addition of soft drink can fiber content, and fiber length to CHB increased the compressive strength of the CHB. Furthermore, the results also indicated that an optimal combination of 3.0% soft drink can fiber content and 25mm fiber length would yield in compressive strength of 508.89 psi for CHB exceeding the Philippine National Standard’s (PNS's) minimum compressive strength criteria. From these findings, soft drink can fiber could be used in low-cost construction because they gradually increase the overall compressive strength of the CHB without requiring additional cement, resulting in cost savings and promotion of the utilization of this environmentally friendly product.