DECLARATION

I, Monica Theobald Msafiri with Registration No: 220141443208 pursuing a Bachelor in Civil
Engineering at Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology .I declare that to the best of my knowledge
and belief, this project is done by myself and it has not presented by anyone in my college for a
similar or to any other Bachelor award .It is a result of my own technical knowledge and
consultation from experienced people in engineering field.

Student Name: Signature Date

Monica Theobald Msafiri …………………… …………………

Supervisor’s Name: Signature Date

Allanus Nungu …………………… …………………

Supervisor’s Name: Signature Date

Nuhu Mbalwewith …………………… …………………

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 DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this project to Almighty God who gives me good health and power to do
the best in my project and studies. Also I like to dedicate it to my beloved father , [Link]
Michael Msafiri, my late mother Mrs. Maria John Kijuu ,together with my beloved brother and
also to Eng Mathias (TANROADS)for their encouragement and support during the time of
carrying out this project.
I gratefully thanks to my colleagues for their good cooperation and their advice

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Special thanks to my supervisors Allanus Nungu and Nuhu Mbalwewith their help and advices
during whole period of my project

Thanks to Engineer Beatrice Rweyemamu for allowing me to make use of laboratory facilities.
Engineer Mathias for assisting me to carry out this project research whenever I needed a help
and all other staffs of TANROADS for their technical assistance throughout materials testing

Special thanks to my family for their general support in undertaking this project and their
encouragement and advices throughout the preparation of the project .Lastly, thanks to the class
of BENG21CE and friends for whatever they have done to take this project to a next stage.

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ABSTRACT

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 Table of Contents
DECLARATION.............................................................................................................................i
ABBREVIATIONS......................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER ONE...................................................................................................... .......................8
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................8
1.0 BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................8
1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT...................................................................................................8
1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES.........................................................................................................8
1.2.1 MAIN OBJECTIVE...........................................................................................................8
1.2.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................8
1.3 EXPECTED OUTCOME OFTHE PROJECT.........................................................................9
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OFTHE PROJECT......................................................................................9
CHAPTER TWO..........................................................................................................................10
LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................................10
2.0 PR0BLEM SOILS...................................................................................................................10
2.1 EXPANSIVE SOILS..............................................................................................................10
2.2 Identification of expansive soils.........................................................................................11
2.2.1 RoutineInvestigations..................................................................................................11
2.2.2 Extended investigations...............................................................................................11
2.2.3 In-depth studies............................................................................................................12
2.3 Classification of expansive soil...........................................................................................12
2.4 Calculation on expansiveness.............................................................................................13
2.5 Properties of expansive soil................................................................................................13
3.0 SHRINKAGE LIMITOFSOIL.............................................................................................14
Mercury Method.......................................................................................................................14
3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................16
3.2 Sampling.........................................................................................................................16
3.3 Soil samplepreparation...................................................................................................16

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 3.4 Sample characterization..................................................................................................16
ii) Plasticlimit (PL)...................................................................................................................17
iii) Plasticity Index (PI).............................................................................................................18
iv)Linear Shrinkage...................................................................................................................18

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 3.4.2 Sieve analysis test (Particle sizedistribution)..............................................................20
3.5 SHRINKAGE LIMITTESTS.................................................................................................21
3.5.1Wax method......................................................................................................................21
3.5.2 Addition ofsand method..................................................................................................23
CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................27
DATACOLLECTION .............................................................................................................27
4.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................27
4.2. Indicator Tests................................................................................................................27
5.2 ATTERBERG LIMIT TEST..................................................................................................32
5.3 WAX, ADDITIONOFSAND TEST.....................................................................................34
5.3WAX, ADDITIONOFSAND TEST.....................................................................................35
CHAPTER SIX.............................................................................................................................36
CONCLUSIONS ANDRECOMMENDATION..........................................................................36
6.1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................36
6.2 CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................36
6.3 RECOMMENDATION......................................................................................................36
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................37
APPENDICES..............................................................................................................................38

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure.1:.Expansive soil (Black cottonsoil).............................................................................. 13

LIST OF TABLE

Table 1 Used during the field description……………………………………………………….6

Table 2 Expansivesoil classification……………………………..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,7

Table3:Summaryresultsfor sieveanalysis test............................................................................22

Table 4:Summaryfor atterberg test .............................................................................................24

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ABBREVIATIONS

CBR California Bearing Ratio

ASTM American Society of Testing Material
PI Plasticity Index
LL Liquid Limit

PL Plastic Limit

LS Linear Shrinkage

OMC Optimum Moisture Content

MDD Maximum Dry Density

DIT Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology

PIw PI weighted
WS Shrinkage limit
BS British Standard
 CHAPTER ONE.

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND

The shrinkage limit tests were conducted according to the conventional mercury methods
(ASTM2007d, BSI 1990, BIS1972),but since mercury is one of many hazardous substances
has been recognized, hence new and less hazardous are being adopted, namely, wax method
and addition of sand method

1.1 PROBLEMSTATEMENT.
Concrete is the mostly widely used building material worldwide. However, conventional concrete
sometimes has drawbacks like brittleness, cracking and environmental issues because of high carbon
footprint. The use of natural fibers as reinforcement has become more and more common in recent
years as a sustainable method of enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete while reducing its
environment impact. Coconut coir fibers, a common agricultural by product, have a great tensile
strength, elasticity ,which makes them to be alternatives to natural fibers.
1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES

1.2.1 MAINOBJECTIVE
.
To evaluate the effect of coconut coir fibers on the strength and durability of concrete
1.2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.

 To determine optimal percentage of coconut coir fiber that enhance strength and durability of
concrete
 To asses the impact of coconut coir on the workability and consistency of fresh concrete.
 To evaluate effect of coconut coir content on the compressive strength of concrete.

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1.3 EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THEPROJECT
 Optimal fiber content: The goal of the study is to determine the ideal percentage of
coconut coir fiber (probably between 0.5% and 1.5%) that increases strength without
compromising workability.
 Improved durability: It is expected that coir fiber reinforcement will improve long-term
performance and to reduce crack formation.
 Sustainable Alternative: The study will show that fibers from coconut coir can be used as an
economical and environmentally beneficial reinforcement for concrete.
 Impact on workability: Workability is expected to decrease with higher fiber content, but pre
treatment may mitigate this effect.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THEPROJECT
The potential of coconut coir fibers to improve concrete’s strength and durability while advancing sustainability and
cost-effectiveness makes this work noteworthy. By reusing agricultural waste and reducing dependency on synthetic
fibers, the use of coconut coir fibers, a plentiful and biodegradable material ,can lessen it’s influence on the
environment enhanced concrete performance such as increased service life ,less shrinkage and reduce crack.
 CHAPTER TWO.

LITERATURE REVIEW.

2.0 CONCRETE
Concrete is a composite construction material made from a mixture of cement, water ,fine
aggregates and coarse aggregates. It hardens over time due to a chemical reaction called
hydration, where cement reacts with water to form a solid durable mass.
Properties of concrete
 High compressive strength strength; can withstand heavy loads.
 Low tensile strength; prone to cracking under tension (can be improved with
reinforcements).
 Durability; resistant to weathering, fire, and chemicals.
 Workability; determines ease of mixing, placing and finishing.
Concrete’s great durability and compressive strength make it a popular building material. It’s
poor tensile strength and brittleness, however,can cause breaking and shorten it’s service life.
Fibre reinforcing has been investigated as a potential remedy to get around these
restrictions(Gupta et al.,2018). Because of their natural availability advantages for their
environment, and capacity to enhance the mechanical qualities of concrete ,coconut coir fibers
have drawn interest among other fibers. This study of the literature looks at earlier studies on
how coconut coir fibers affect concrete’s durability, workability, and compressive strength.
Additionally ,it pinpoints the ideal fiber content for enhanced performance as well as knowledge
gaps.
2.1 COCONUT COIR FIBERS
Coconut coir fibers are natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconuts,it’s a by product
of the coconut industry and is commonly used in various applications ,including
construction ,agriculture ,textiles ,and erosion control.
2.1.1 Properties of coconut coir fiber
Natural fibers called coconut coir are taken from the coconut’s husk. (Sharma et
al.,2020),explained the about chemical composition of those coconut coir fibers as follows.
 Pectin (3-4%)
 Cellulose (43-45%)
 Lignin (45-55%)
 Hemicellulose (0.15-0.25%)
Due to their high lignin concentration, these fibers have a strong resistance to
decomposition ,which makes them appropriate for long-term reinforcement in concrete.
2.1.2 Physical and Mechanical Properties
(Rashid et al.,2019),explained the about physical and mechanical properties of coconut coir
as follows;
 Have a modulus of elasticity of 4-6Gpa
 A high tensile strength of 100-250Mpa
 Have an elongation at break of 15-40%
  Their high water absorption (85%) and low density (1.15gram per meter cubic) set
them apart from synthetic fibers ,necessitating pretreatment to enhance durability and
bonding before use in concrete
2.1.3 Effect of coconut coir fibers on compressive strength
The effect of coir fibers on concrete’s compressive strength has been examined in a number
of research.
Positive effects:(Gupta et al.,2018).According to research ,increasing the volume of coconut
coir fibers by 0.5% to 1.5% increases compressive strength because it improves fiber –matrix
bonding and crack [Link] fibers help bridge micro-cracks ,delaying crack
propagation and increasing toughness.
Negative effects: According to (Jayasankar et al.,2021).At higher fiber contents(above
2%),compressive strength tends to decrease due to poor workability ,fiber clumping and
excessive void formation.
1.2.4. Effect on workability and consistency of fresh concrete
One important characteristic that affects how easy it is to place and compact concrete is
workability. Coconut coir fibers affect the workability of fresh concrete because they are
lightweight and absorb water.
 Reduced Workability: According to (Sharma et al.,2020),A higher fiber
content(>1%) considerably decreases workability, necessitating the use of
superplasticizers or higher water to cement ratios.
 Methods of Pre treatment: According to (Rashid et al.,2019).Explained that soaking
coir fibers in water for a whole day or treating them with alkali solutions (NAOH
5%) to promote fiber dispersion and decrease water absorption in order to address
workability difficulties.
Slump Test Results from previous studies
Fiber Content Slump Workability
Value(mm)
0% control 75-90mm High
0.5% 60-75mm Moderate
1.0% 45-60mm Low
1.5% 30-45mm Very Low

1.2.5 Effect on Durability of concrete

The ability of concrete to endure external factors and maintains its strength over time is
called Durability. The addition of coir fibers affects durability in several ways;
 Crack resistance: according to (Jayasankar et al.,2021).By bridging microcracks
and minimizing shrinkage cracks,coir fiber improve crack resistance
 Water Absorption and permeability: According to (Sharma et al.,2020).Research
shows that fiber –reinforced concrete has a larger porosity, which could result in
more water absorption if the fibers are not pretreated.
 Chemical resistance: According to (Rashid et al.,2019). Concrete perfoms better
in harsh conditions because coir fibers are resistant to mild acids and sulphates.
 CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction
This chapter describes the methods used in obtaining and gathering data and information for the
purpose of achieving the research problem.

1. Research Design
This study follows an experimental research design, where different percentages of coconut coir
fibers (CCF) are added to concrete, and their effects on strength, workability, and durability are
analyzed through laboratory testing.

2. Materials and Their Properties

The following materials will be used in the study:
1. Cement: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) conforming to ASTM C150.
2. Fine Aggregates: Natural river sand meeting ASTM C33 standards.
3. Coarse Aggregates: Crushed stone with a nominal size of 10–20 mm.
4. Water: Clean potable water suitable for concrete mixing.
5. Coconut Coir Fibers: Extracted from matured coconut husks, processed into fibers of
specific lengths (10–30 mm) and treated for better bonding with the cement matrix.

3. Mix Proportions and Specimen Preparation

Concrete mixes will be prepared by replacing a percentage of the cementitious material with
coconut coir fibers. The mix proportions will be determined using a standard mix design (e.g.,
ACI 211.1 or DOE method).

Experimental Mix Variations:

• Control Mix (0% CCF) – Standard concrete mix without fibers.
• Experimental Mixes: 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% by weight of cement.

Concrete specimens will be cast into different molds based on test requirements:
• Cubes (150mm x 150mm x 150mm) – For compressive strength testing.
• Cylinders (150mm diameter, 300mm height) – For splitting tensile strength and
durability tests.
• Slump Test (Fresh Concrete) – To assess workability.

4. Testing Procedures
A. Fresh Concrete Tests
1. Workability Test: Measured using the slump test (ASTM C143) to evaluate the impact of
CCF on concrete consistency.

B. Hardened Concrete Tests

2. Compressive Strength Test (ASTM C39):
• Conducted at 7, 14, and 28 days using a compression testing machine.
• Determines the effect of CCF on strength development.
3. Splitting Tensile Strength Test (ASTM C496):
• Measures the tensile strength of concrete, as fibers are expected to enhance crack
resistance.
4. Water Absorption Test (ASTM C642):
• Evaluates porosity and permeability, indicating durability performance.
5. Acid Resistance Test (ASTM C267):
• Concrete specimens will be immersed in 5% sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) solution for 28 days
to assess durability against chemical attack.
6. Abrasion Resistance Test (ASTM C944):
• Determines the surface wear resistance of fiber-reinforced concrete.

5. Data Collection and Analysis

• Compression & tensile strength values will be recorded and compared across different
fiber percentages.
• Slump values will be analyzed to determine the effect on workability.
• Durability indicators such as water absorption and acid resistance will be evaluated.
• Optimal fiber content will be identified based on strength and durability performance.

Statistical Analysis:
• Data will be analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to check the significance of
variations.
• Regression analysis will be performed to establish a relationship between fiber content
and mechanical properties.

6. Expected Challenges & Mitigation Measures

• Workability Reduction: Due to fiber addition, the mix may require superplasticizers to
improve flowability.
• Fiber Clumping: Proper pre-treatment and mixing techniques will be used to ensure
uniform fiber dispersion.
• Variability in Strength: Multiple specimens will be tested to ensure accurate and
consistent results.

7. Ethical Considerations & Compliance

• All experiments will follow standardized test methods (ASTM, BS, or IS codes).
• Environmental sustainability will be ensured by using natural fibers instead of synthetic
reinforcements.
• The research will comply with the institution’s laboratory safety regulations.
To ensure uniformity, workability, and strength in the concrete mix, proper preparation and
mixing procedures must be followed. The steps below outline the systematic process to be used
in this study.

1. Material Preparation
Before mixing, all materials must be properly prepared to ensure consistency and accuracy in
the experiment.

A. Cement, Aggregates, and Water

• Cement: Weighed according to mix proportions and stored in a dry place.
• Fine Aggregates (Sand): Oven-dried to remove moisture before batching.
• Coarse Aggregates (Gravel): Washed and dried to remove dust and impurities.
• Water: Clean potable water measured accurately before mixing.

B. Coconut Coir Fiber (CCF) Preparation

• Fiber Length: Coir fibers will be cut into standard lengths of 10mm–30mm to improve
dispersion.
• Pre-treatment: Fibers will be soaked in water for 24 hours to reduce water absorption and
improve bonding with the cement matrix.
• Drying: After soaking, the fibers will be air-dried to remove excess water.

2. Batching of Materials
The materials will be weighed according to the designed mix proportions. The mix proportions
will include:
• Control Mix (0% CCF)
• 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% CCF by weight of cement

The materials will be batched using a weighing scale for accuracy.

3. Mixing Procedure
A mechanical drum mixer will be used to ensure uniform mixing of concrete. The steps are as
follows:
Step 1: Dry Mixing
• Cement, sand, and coarse aggregates will be placed in the mixer.
• These materials will be dry-mixed for 2 minutes to achieve uniform distribution.

Step 2: Addition of Coconut Coir Fibers

• Pre-treated CCF will be added gradually to the dry mix to prevent clumping.
• The mix will be turned for 1–2 minutes to ensure even dispersion of fibers.

Step 3: Adding Water

• Water will be added slowly while the mixer is running.
• Mixing will continue for 3–5 minutes until a homogenous, workable concrete mix is
achieved.
• If necessary, superplasticizers will be added to improve workability.

4. Workability Testing
• Slump Test (ASTM C143) will be conducted immediately after mixing to measure
workability.
• Adjustments may be made if the mix is too dry or too wet.

5. Casting of Specimens
• Fresh concrete will be poured into molds (cubes, cylinders, beams) in three layers.
• Each layer will be compacted using a tamping rod (25 blows per layer) to remove air
voids.

6. Curing Process
• Specimens will be left in molds for 24 hours at room temperature.
• After demolding, samples will be immersed in water for curing at 23±2°C for 7, 14, and
28 days.

7. Testing of Hardened Concrete

After curing, concrete specimens will undergo the following tests:
• Compressive Strength (ASTM C39)
• Tensile Strength (ASTM C496)
• Durability Tests (Water Absorption & Acid Resistance)

The selection and collection of materials play a critical role in ensuring the quality and
reliability of the experiment. The following materials will be collected and prepared before
mixing.
1. Cement
• Type: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
• Source: Collected from a certified supplier to ensure it meets ASTM C150 or BS EN
197-1 standards.
• Storage: Kept in a dry, moisture-free area to prevent premature hydration.

2. Fine Aggregates (Sand)

• Type: Well-graded natural river sand.
• Source: Collected from a local supplier and tested to meet ASTM C33 or BS 882
specifications.
• Preparation:
• Oven-dried to remove moisture.
• Sieve analysis conducted to ensure proper grading.

3. Coarse Aggregates (Gravel/Crushed Stone)

• Type: Crushed granite or limestone with a nominal size of 10mm–20mm.
• Source: Collected from an approved quarry to meet ASTM C33 standards.
• Preparation:
• Washed to remove dust and debris.
• Checked for grading and angularity to ensure better bonding with cement paste.

4. Water
• Type: Clean potable water suitable for concrete mixing.
• Source: Tap water or distilled water to avoid contamination.
• Standard: Must meet ASTM C1602 requirements for mixing and curing.

5. Coconut Coir Fibers (CCF)

• Source: Collected from local coconut processing industries or agricultural farms.
• Processing Steps:
• Extraction: Fibers are extracted from mature coconut husks.
• Cleaning: Washed to remove dust, oil, and organic matter.
• Drying: Sun-dried or oven-dried to maintain fiber strength.
• Cutting: Fibers will be cut into 10mm–30mm lengths.
• Pre-Treatment: Fibers will be soaked in water for 24 hours to reduce water absorption
and improve bonding.

6. Chemical Admixtures (if needed)

• Type: Superplasticizers or water-reducing agents.
• Source: Collected from an approved supplier.
• Purpose: Used if workability is significantly reduced due to fiber addition.

7. Storage and Handling

• Cement and aggregates stored in a covered, dry location.
• Fibers stored in sealed containers to prevent contamination.
• All materials weighed accurately before mixing