ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT AZOJETE June 2024. Vol. 20(2):427-434 Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818 www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 427 EFFECTS OF ORIENTATION ON THE PROPERTIES OF FAN PALM FIBRE REINFORCED SHEET O. A. Adeleke1, B. Yinusa2,3*, M. A. Azeez2 and A. G. Arisoyin2 1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Nigeria 2Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria 3Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan (Research Scholar) *Corresponding author's email address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com ARTICLE INFORMATION Submitted 24 November, 2023 Revised 19 February, 2024 Accepted 25 February, 2024 Keywords: Orientation Fan palm fibre RSM Compressive strength Flexural strength ABSTRACT In this research, the effect of orientation of the strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheets was investigated. The material used was fan palm fibre whose length varies from 0.8 to 1.7m with an average bulk density of 1.133g/cm3, specific gravity of 0.46 and Moisture Content (MC) of 7.40%. And the mould used was a wooden mould of 300×300×9 mm. The fibre was soaked in both water and cement slurry for 24 hours and 7 days. Soil sieve analysis was carried out using ASTM standard and curing was done for 28 days. The percentage of fibre in the sampled reinforce sheet was between 1-3% at various orientations (0, 30, 60° and 2D). The properties examined were Water Absorption (WA), Compressive Strength (CS) and Flexural Strength (FS). Data analysis was done using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the reinforced sheets with long fibre of 1, 2 and 3% have WA of 5.76, 3.72 and 5.05% respectively. While those with short fibre of 1, 2 and 3% have 6.87, 7.36 and 7.75% respectively. The CS of the reinforced sheets of 1, 2 and 3% fibre at 0, 30, and 600 orientations were 6.9568, 8.0779, 7.2330; 3.2870, 6.6764, 7.355; and 3.0592, 5.3215, 3.9090 N/mm2 respectively and the FS results were also observed. The CS and FS of reinforced sheets at 00 and 300 fibre orientations seems to be the best. 1.0 Introduction Over the years steel has been the dominating material used as reinforcement in concrete and mortar in the construction industries. Since then the cost of steel has continued to rise, this has led to increase in the cost of production of structural members. Asbestos cement sheet was introduced as an alternative to corrugated sheet because it does not suffer atmospheric corrosion and it is also cheaper. But asbestos was discredited in 1970s because of its extreme fineness; tiny asbestos fibres are easily suspended in the atmosphere and prolonged inhalation of these fibres results into a form of pneumoconiosis known as asbestosis which also increases the incidence of cancer of the lungs Encyclopedia Americana (1829). Two decades ago, asbestos was the major source of reinforcement in the fibre cement industries but as a result of the adverse effect, it was replaced with many other fibres, from glass, steel, synthetics and natural fibres. Fan palm is the tallest indigenous plant that is abundant and characterizes all types of savannah. The wood is moderately heavy and brown with black fibre (McHolam, 2001). It can tolerate high temperature and resists decay for at least 25 years. Its length varies over a wide range of 5-90 cm with cross sectional area of 4.368 mm2 (Okeola, 1989). Fan palm has a surface area of 163.27 and 80.25 mm2 for the fruits and seeds respectively (Yalcin and Ayse, 2016). African fan palm has a typical diameter of 40-50 cm as opined by Tropical Plants (2024). Osibodu (1986) observed that a single strand of fan palm fibre has a modulus of elasticity of 14.44 N and that ultimate tensile strength of 280.3 N/mm2. Okeola (1989) researched on the pull-out strength of matrix or the anchorage bond between the fan palm fibres and the cement http://www.azojete.com.ng/ file:///C:/Users/Engr.%20Samuel/Documents/Engr%20Oyeniyi/azojete/AZOJETE%20ARCHIVE/UPLOAD/VOL%2020%20NO%201/PUBLISH/niyiolabisi@gmail.com mailto:%20salami.lukman@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng mailto:%20salami.lukman@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June 2024; Vol. 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 428 paste and was calculated to be 1.92 N/mm2. More so, the flexural strength of fan palm fibre of 2.15 N/mm2 was reported by Okeola (1989). The arrangement of fibres in a matrix has been proved (Bryan, 1986) that it affects the crack opening and propagation, and substantially improve the material toughness and when the fibres are not aligned in the direction of the principal tensile strain, fracture increases. Orientation is very important in design of composite materials because of anisotropy’s effect. Based on this premises, this paper looked at the effect of orientation on the strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheets. 2.0 Materials and Methods 2.1 Sample materials Fan palm fibre was used to make the reinforce sheets. It has a length of 0.8-1.7 m it is as shown in Figure 1. Fan palm was bought from Sabo market Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. And it was transported to the workshop where it was treated and the fibres were removed by beating and scraping. Figure 1: Fan palm trees 2.2 Mechanical and physical properties of Fan palm a. Bulk density The average bulk density of fan palm was 1.133 g/cm3. The bulk density was determined using ASTM standard. b. Specific gravity The specific gravity was determined using Equation (1). And is the ratio of the fibre in the sun (air) to the weight of water occupying the equal volume of that fibre. An average specific gravity of 0.46 was observed. Specific grav. = (1) c. Moisture content Moisture content of the sample material was determined using oven-drying method and as given by PAES 219, (2004) as given in Equation (2): MCwb = 𝑊1−𝑊2 𝑊2 × 100 (2) Where, MCwb = Moisture content, %; W1 = Initial mass of the sample, g; W2 = Final mass of the sample, g. Water absorption (W.A): Water absorption was determined using Equation 3. W.A = × 100, % (3) file:///C:/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng mailto:%20kunleoluyori@gmail.com Adeleke et al: Effects of Orientation on the Properties of Fan Palm Fibre Reinforced Sheet. AZOJETE, 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 429 Where, Weight of saturated samples = Ws (g); Weight of oven dry samples = Wo (g) 2.3 Grain size analysis The sample sand was dried in the oven-drying machine for 24 hours and sand was weighed and recorded along with the sizes of the sieves as the aperture decreases in size. The sample was shaken using sieve shaker for few minutes, and then each sieve was weighed and recorded with the retained sand. The percentage passing and retained was calculated based on the total weight of the sample. The result was showed in Tables 1 and 2 and the weight (Wt) of the sharp sand used was 1000 g. Table 1: Grain size analysis Sieve size, mm Wt of empty sieve Wt of sieve + retained sand (g) Wt of retained sand (g) 4 554 557 3 3.35 454 468 14 2.36 480 490 10 1 522 583 61 0.5 498 737 234 0.4 491 593 102 0.25 470 846 376 0.063 302 462 160 Pan 275 310 35 Table 2: Grain size analysis Sieve size, mm % Passing % Retained Cumulated % Retained 4 94.4 0.3 0.3 3.35 98.3 1.4 1.7 2.36 97.3 1 2.7 1 91.2 6.1 8.8 0.5 67.3 23.9 32.7 0.4 57.1 10.2 42.9 0.25 19.5 37.6 80.5 0.063 3.5 16 96.5 Pan 0 3.5 100 2.4 Preparation of constituent materials and production of fan palm fibre reinforced composite a. Defibering The removal of fibres was done manually with the aid of knife, cutlass and club. The fibre were scraped and brushed thoroughly and carefully to remove all the deleterious lignin content which will affect the interfacial bond between the fibres and the matrix. b. Mix proportion The ratio of cement to sand is 1:2 and the water cement ratio is 0.5, the fibre content used ranges from 1 percent to 3 percent by weight of the cement. c. Mixing and casting The quantities of each material used were first weigh using weighing balances. The cement and the sand were mixed on a flat board using hand trowel, the mortar was thoroughly mixed as water was added proportionally to satisfaction. Wooden moulds of 300 x 300 x 9 mm (Figure 2) were used for the casting. The moulds were lubricated to enhance easy removal set composites from the moulds. About one third of the overall depth of the mould was compacted http://www.azojete.com.ng/ file:///C:/Users/Engr.%20Samuel/Documents/Engr%20Oyeniyi/azojete/AZOJETE%20ARCHIVE/UPLOAD/VOL%2020%20NO%201/PUBLISH/niyiolabisi@gmail.com Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June 2024; Vol. 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 430 with the mortar serving as the cover before the fibres were arranged at different angles. The fibres were covered and compacted again to prevent voids and honey combs. The cubs were made using mould 40 x 40 x 40 mm containing varied percentages of short fibres ranging from 1-3 % both the cubes and the flat sheets were removed from the mould after 24 hours. Figure 2: Moulds and arrangement of fibre (The Figure was taking with black and white camera) d. Orientation Orientations of the fibres were 00,300, 600 and 2D which is the discontinuous fibres or short fibres. The control experiment was without fibre and fibre orientation e. Curing Curing is the process of hydration in which a concrete composite gained strength. Curing was done by immersing the composites in water for 28 days after which they were kept to dry, getting them ready for testing. The flexural and compressive strengths were determined using Universal testing machine (Testometric) at University of Ilorin. 3.0 Results and Discussion The mean compressive strength of 6.9568, 8.0778 and 7.2330 N/mm2 at 1 % fibre content were obtained for the fan palm fibre reinforced sheets at fibre orientations of 00, 300 and 600 respectively as showed in Table 3. While 3.2870, 6.6764 and 7.355 N/mm2; 3.0592, 5.3215 and 3.9090 N/mm2 where obtained at 2 and 3% fibre content respectively (Table 3). More so, the mean flexural strength of 8.58, 7.84 and 7.23 N/mm2 at 1% fibre content were obtained for the fan palm fibre reinforced sheets at fibre orientations of 00, 300 and 600 respectively as showed in Table 4. While 3.29, 5.42 and 7.12 N/mm2; 1.67, 2.59 and 1.96 N/mm2 where obtained at 2 and 3 % fibre content respectively (Table 4). Table 5 showed that fan palm fibre reinforced sheets with long fibre of 1, 2 and 3 % have water absorption of 5.76, 3.72 and 5.05 % respectively. While those with short fibre of 1, 2 and 3 % have 6.87, 7.36 and 7.75 % respectively. 3.1 The effect of orientation and fibre percentage on compressive strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet. The mean compressive strength obtained varies from 6.9568 to 8.0778 N/mm2 from different fibre orientations as showed in Table 3, which were higher than those values obtained by Anaidhuno et al. (2017) and this variation may be due to crops’ properties because different fibres were used. The effects of fibre orientations and percentage of fibre were significant on compressive and flexural strength (p < 0.05) as shown in Table 6 because the compressive strength increases with increase in fibre orientation but decreases with increase in percentage of fibre in the fan palm fibre reinforcement sheets and this was depicted in the response surface plot of the relationship as shown in Figure 3. More so, the model that gave the best fit was a linear relationship as shown in Equation (4). However, the goodness of fit for the model was file:///C:/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng mailto:%20kunleoluyori@gmail.com Adeleke et al: Effects of Orientation on the Properties of Fan Palm Fibre Reinforced Sheet. AZOJETE, 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 431 expressed by the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.7177, which suggest that, the model could explain 71.77 % of the variability in the response and the model satisfies lack of fit test. 3.2 The effect of orientation and fibre percentage on Flexural strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet Table 4 showed the average flexural strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheets at different orientation degrees and the values were more than 2.15 N/mm2 reported by Okeola (1989). And this difference may be due to fibre orientation considered during this research which was reported in Okeola (1989). However, the result shows that, flexural strength decreases with in decrease in fibre percentage but increases with increase in degree of orientation of fibre in the sheets as is shown in Figure 4, and the relationship was significant (p < 0.05) as it is shown in Table 7 and the model that gives the best fit is a linear model. The goodness of fit for the model was expressed by the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.8720). However, equation (5) presented the interaction between flexural strength, orientation of fibre and fibre percentage (amount). 3.3 The effect of orientation and fibre percentage on water absorption of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet. The mean water absorption of the reinforced sheets ranges from 3.72 to 7.75%. This was higher than 66.50 and 63.2% reported for coir and palm kernel (Gram, 1983). The little variation could be due to adequate strength properties embedded in the fibre orientation, which could be related to the mechanical and physical properties of fan palm fibre. However, the water absorption decreases with increase in fibre percentage but increases with increase in degree of orientation of fibre in the fan palm fibre reinforced sheets. The mathematical expression in Equation (6) shows that a relationship occurs between the water absorption, fibre orientation and percentage of fibre. However, the effects of fibre orientation and percentage of fibre on water absorption is not significant (p > 0.05) (Table 8) and the model that gives the best fit is a linear relationship. The coefficient of determination R2 was found to be 0.4445, indicating that the relationship between the three variables (predictors and response) is weak as is shown in Figure 5. Table 3: The average compressive strength at different orientation of fibre arrangement Fibre orientation Mean Compressive strength @ 1% fibre Mean Compressive strength @ 2% fibre Mean Compressive strength @ 3% fibre 00 6.9568 3.2870 3.0592 300 8.0778 6.6764 5.3215 600 7.2330 7.355 3.9090 Mathematical models 1. Compressive strength = 0.029*Orientation -1.66*Fibre + 8.22431 (R2 = 71.77%) (4) 2. Flexural = 0.0153*Orientation - 2.9050* Fibre + 10.4261 (R2 = 87.20 %) (5) 3. Water Absorption = 0.41011* Orientation - 8.78375*Fibre + 62.10558 (6) http://www.azojete.com.ng/ file:///C:/Users/Engr.%20Samuel/Documents/Engr%20Oyeniyi/azojete/AZOJETE%20ARCHIVE/UPLOAD/VOL%2020%20NO%201/PUBLISH/niyiolabisi@gmail.com Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June 2024; Vol. 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 432 Table 4: The average flexural strength at different orientation of fibre arrangement Fire orientatio n Mean Flexural strength @ 1% fibre Mean Flexural strength @ 2% fibre Mean Flexural strength @ 3% fibre 00 8.58 3.29 1.67 300 7.84 5.42 2.59 600 7.23 7.12 1.96 Table 5: The average water absorption at different orientation of fibre arrangement Sample of Long fibre % of Fibre % of absorption A 1 5.76 B 2 3.72 C 3 5.05 Sample of Short fibre % of Fibre % of absorption A 1 6.87 B 2 7.36 C 3 7.75 Table 6: ANOVA on the effect of orientation and fibre percentage on compressive strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet Source SS DF MS F-Value P > F Remark Model 21.09 2 10.54 7.63 0.0225 *Sig A 4.50 1 4.50 3.25 0.1214 B 16.59 1 16.59 12.00 0.0134 Resid. 8.30 6 1.38 Cor T. 29.39 8 *Significant @ P < 0.05 Table 7: ANOVA on the effect of orientation and fibre percentage on Flexural strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet. Source SS DF MS F P > F Remark Model 51.91 2 25.96 20.44 0.0021 *Sig A 1.28 1 1.28 1.01 0.354 B 50.63 1 50.63 39.86 0.0007 Residual 7.62 6 1.27 Cor T. 59.53 8 *Significant @ P < 0.05 Table 8: ANOVA on the effect of orientation and fibre percentage on water absorption of fan palm fibre reinforced sheet Source SS DF MS F P > F Remark Model 1828.18 2 914.09 2.0 0.229 *Not sig. A 1210.94 1 1210.9 2.6 0.164 B 617.23 1 617.23 1.3 0.297 Residual 2283.25 5 456.65 Cor Total 4111.43 7 Not significant @ P < 0.05 file:///C:/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng mailto:%20kunleoluyori@gmail.com Adeleke et al: Effects of Orientation on the Properties of Fan Palm Fibre Reinforced Sheet. AZOJETE, 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 433 Figure. 3: Surface response plot of factors on compressive strength Figure 4: Trend of flexural strength due to fibre orientation and percentage in reinforced sheets Figure 5: Trend of water absorption due to fibre orientation and percentage in reinforced sheets 4. Conclusion From this study, three properties of the reinforced sheets (Water absorption, flexural strength and compressive strength) were examined. And the followings were concluded; http://www.azojete.com.ng/ file:///C:/Users/Engr.%20Samuel/Documents/Engr%20Oyeniyi/azojete/AZOJETE%20ARCHIVE/UPLOAD/VOL%2020%20NO%201/PUBLISH/niyiolabisi@gmail.com Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, June 2024; Vol. 20(2):427-434. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng Corresponding author’s e-mail address: yinusa_babatunde@yahoo.com 434 1. The effects of fibre orientation and percentage of fibre on water absorption is not significant at p < 0.05. And water absorption decreases with increase in fibre percentage but increases with increase in degrees of orientation of fibre in fan palm fibre reinforced sheets 2. Flexural strength decreases with in decrease in fibre percentage but increases with increase in degrees of orientation of fibre in the sheets and the relationship was significant at p < 0.05. 3. The effects of fibre orientations and percentage of fibre were significant on compressive at p < 0.05 and compressive strength increases with increase in fibre orientation but decreases with increase in percentage of fibre in the fan palm fibre reinforcement sheets. 4. More so, the compressive and flexural strength of the reinforced sheets at 00 and 300 fibre orientations seems to be the best. It is therefore, recommended that fibre reinforced sheets should be made using 0° and 30° fibre orientation. 5. Acknowledgement We want to appreciate God and our colleagues who have made this research work a success. Thank you all. References Anaidhuno, UP., Edelugo, SO. and Nwobi-Okoye, CC. 2017. Evaluation of the mechanical properties and simulation of Sisal/Jute hybrid polymer composite failure in automobile chassis panel. International Organization of Scientific Research, 7(9): 56-64. Bryan, H. 1986. Engineering Composite Materials. Institute of Materials, London., pp. 65-67. Gram, HE. 1983. Durability of Natural Fibres in Concrete. Report No. 1, Swedish Cement and Concrete Research Institute, Stockholm, pp. 255. McHolam, A. 2001. Agro Forest Data Base, Vol 2. Publication of World Agro-Forest Center, Nairobi, Kenya., p. 2. Montgomery, DC. 2005. Design and analysis of experiments: response surface method and designs. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 167. Okeola, OG. 1989. Property of Fan Palm Fibre Reinforced cements Composite, B.Eng. Project, Civil Engineering Department, University of Ilorin, pp 5-14. Yalcin, C. and Ayse G. 2016. Dimensional specific physical properties of fan palm fruits, seeds and seed coats. International Agrophysics, 30(3): 301-309. file:///C:/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng mailto:%20kunleoluyori@gmail.com