UTILIZATION OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBERS AS GROUND COVER FOR SURFACE EROSION MITIGATION TO ASSIST IN THE ESTABILISHMENT OF VEGETATION
A Thesis Presented to the
Civil Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering
University of Santo Tomas
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Jonathan Alfonso Agoncillo
Veronica Ebero Buensuceso
Erol Rosales Guintu
Arvin Bryan Nillasca Ramboanga
May 2016
APPROVAL SHEET
The Thesis entitled “UTILIZATION OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBERS AS GROUND COVER FOR SURFACE EROSION MITIGATION TO ASSIST IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETATION”, prepared and submitted by Agoncillo, Jonathan A., Buensuceso, Veronica E., Guintu, Erol R., and Ramboanga, Arvin Bryan N., in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) is hereby endorsed for approval and acceptance.
Ryan A. Ramirez, BSCE, MSGeotech Thesis Adviser
Accepted and approved by the Defense Panel:
Prof Panel 1, BSCE
Member
Prof Panel 3, BSCE
Member
Prof Panel 2, BSCE
Member
Prof Panel 4, BSCE
Member
Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Santo Tomas.
Rodelio A. Tiburcio, BSCE, MCM Chairman May 2016 i ii iii vi vii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page …………………………………………………………………………..........
Approval Sheet ……………...…………………………………………………............
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………............
List of Figures………………………………………………………………..................
Abbreviations………………………………………………………………...................
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background
1.1 Introduction ……………..……………………………………………………
1.2 Statement of the Problem …………………………………………………..
1.3 Objectives of the Study ……………………………………………………..
1.4 Significance of the Study ……….………………………………..…………
1.5 Hypothesis ……………..…….……………………………………………....
1.6 Conceptual Framework ..……………………………………………………
1.7 Scope and Limitations ….…………………………………………….….....
1.8 Assumptions ………………….…………………………..………………....
1.9 Definition of Terms …..………….……………………….………………....
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
2.1 Pineapple …………………………………………………………..…………
2.1.1 Fiber Extraction ……………………………………………………
2.1.2 PALF Properties …………………….…………………………….
2.2 Soil Erosion ……………………………………………………………….….
2.3 Soil Stabilization ……………………………………………………………..
2.4 Rolled Erosion Control Products ………………………………..…………
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2.4.1 Selection Criteria for RECP ………………………………………
2.4.2 RECP Installation ………………………………………………….
2.4.3 Efficacy of Rolled Erosion Control Products ……………………
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 Pineapple Leaf Fibers ……………………….……………………………...
3.1.1 Acquisition ………………………………………………………….
3.1.2 Weaving …………………………………………………………….
3.2 Index Testing……………………………………………………………….... 3.2.1 Mass per Unit Area ……………………………………………….. 3.2.2 Ultimate Tensile Strength ………………………………………... 3.2.3 Water Absorption Capacity ……………………………………….
3.3 Soil ………………………………………………………….......................... 3.3.1 Soil Specimen …………………………………………………….. 3.3.1 Soil Classification ……………………………………..…………..
3.3.2 Soil Boxes …………………………………………………............ 3.3.3 Soil Compaction …………………………………………………...
3.4 Pre-Simulation……………………………………………………………….. 3.4.1 Installation of Bamboo Mat ………………………………………. 3.4.2 Calibration of Rainfall Simulator …………………………………
3.5 Testing Proper …………………………………………………………........
3.6 Post-Simulation ……………………………………………………………… 3.6.1 Collection of Data ………………………………………………….
3.7 Performance Indicators …………………………….. ………………………
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Bibliography ………………………………………………………..............................
Appendix C Budgetary Requirements ……………………………………………...
Appendix D Gantt Chart ……………………………………………………………….
LIST OF FIGURES Figure Title Page 1.1 Conceptual Framework ……………………………………........ 6 2.1 Variation in Tensile Stress …………………………………........ 15 3.1 Soil Box Setup ……………………………………………………... 30 3.2 Metal Staples ……………………………………...........…………. 31 3.3 Rainfall Simulator Apparatus of DPWH - FCSEC ……………… 32
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS * AASTHO – American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials * ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials * BMTPC – Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council * DPWH – Department of Public Works and Highways * DPWH – FCSEC – Department of Public Works and Highways – Flood Control and Sabo Engineering Center * ECTC – Erosion Control Technology Council * NAP – National Action Plan * PALF – Pineapple Leaf Fibers * RECP – Rolled Erosion Control Products * TRM – Turf Reinforcement Mats 