VENTURE: Palm Fronds Cement Blocks
Posted on 12. Apr, 2009 by Charles Tsai in E-Ventures, Environment, Tech-Ventures, Technology
Mark Gersava, 24, Philippines - Palm fronds is a waste product came from Palm Oil Plants, the increase of this waste residue was just thrown away and burned to decrease its amount.
In search for an alternative that would answer the environmental problems caused by Palm Fronds burning and arrest the rising cost of construction materials, I with my adviser came up with a research on Palm Fronds Cement Bonded Blocks on October 2007. This technology utilizes Palm Fronds as substitute for sand in making construction blocks.
To help answer these problems, the Palm Frond Cement Bonded Blocks will be introduced to the residents of the province and train them on the skills needed in the fabrication of the said blocks and educate the residents on the environmental and health hazards caused by improper burning of this agricultural residue.
The Palm Fronds Cement Bonded Blocks was tested using the Universal Testing Machine conducted at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Results show that the bonded blocks passed the requirements set by the American Cement Institute.
The use of this agricultural residue in the construction Industry would be useful in reducing environmental problems and financial cost in housing.
Goals:
- To educate residents on health and environmental hazards caused by improper palm fronds burning
- To train participants on skills needed in making palm fronds blocks
- To create business opportunities around agricultural wastes
- To educate community on current environmental issues
The photo reflects the problem of palm fronds burning, a waste residue from Palm oil plants used in Kalakat Making.
19 Responses to “VENTURE: Palm Fronds Cement Blocks”
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zildjian
15. Jan, 2009
is the palm fronds stronger than typical CHBs? by how much percent? is it a sustainable source for construction materials?
Mark
26. Jan, 2009
Thank You for responding to my venture.
Palm Fronds Cement Bonded Blocks is best recommended for non-load bearing walls like partitions, fences and pig pens.
In terms for the sustainability in my community and our country as well, the backbone of our economy is depend on Planting of Palm Oil Plants and it is increasing annually. In other country their are some large plantation of this plants and the increase of the residue of this plant will also increase and burned to decrease its amount.
Christian
27. Jan, 2009
The IDEA is very good, i like it. Yes, usually, residues from palm oil plantations are burnt to decrease its bulk… If these blocks be sold in the commercial market, how much would this cost compare to the sand used block?
Mark
28. Jan, 2009
It is 30% cheaper than the commercial hollow blocks, it is PhP4.00 compare to commercial blocks which is the prize PhP6.00 in our locality
Rodolfo B.Solomon
13. Feb, 2009
The palm fronds cement-bonded block is ideal for non-load bearing walls, meaning for walls that do not carry any other load except itself, like partition walls and fences.
Through experiment, these blocks were found out to be more advantageous over the commercial hollow blocks because of its distinct qualities like: it is lightweight, easy to carry , transport and install, minimum breakage, have more or less that load-bearing capacity with that of the commercial blocks and most importantly, it is environment-friendly since it utilized the waste material (waste fronds from the frond weaving) into a very potential construction material.
marchelyn p ganit
01. Feb, 2009
the concept was great but how about the strengthof your material compared to the commercial hollow blocks?
CArmel
02. Feb, 2009
how about the cost of production, is it reltively cheaper than producing commercial cement?
mark
28. Oct, 2010
@ Carmel this blocks is 30%cheaper than the commercial hollow block
Jack
23. Sep, 2009
Certainly, this invention of a new cement block which is lightweight yet fire-resistant, would eventually solve the problem on lack of shelter in the country plagued by high price of construction materials.
mark
28. Oct, 2010
@jack that was really our vision Jack to solve the problem on Lack of shelter
Mark
04. Nov, 2009
Not exactly the high price of the construction materials but our aim is to contribute in Saving the Earth through this Invention.
zaed
10. Jan, 2010
does the strength of the block increase??? how if the fibre being mix for the structural concrete??
Owner
31. Jul, 2010
in terms of the strength of the block , the longer the visibility of strength increase. The Civil Engineers in our school already do the invention on the Palm Fronds Fiber Cement Bonded Blocks and the invention was very successful
Nurul aini S
29. Mar, 2010
very good idea to save environmental, how about the effect of wether
mark
28. Oct, 2010
@nurul The weather will not affect the strength of the block
John B
30. May, 2010
Seems to me you have not researched properly. You have a block that, if manufactured properly [teaching people to do so would be a high cost], has no structural possibilities. They are also far less fire resistant than concrete blocks, not as you claim, fire resistant. Burning such materials is also no worse than leaving them to rot and create methane so the environment gains zilch.
You would be better to research how to utilise the fronds for efficient burning like pressing them into logs that can be used to replace precious timber supplies that are sourced from growing trees! No fronds leave my property and it is unfortunate I live in a warm climate as the only way I can burn them is in a clay chiminea in the depths of winter [20degrees centigrade] or use for some cooking.
Owner
31. Jul, 2010
I think you not just fully understand the idea, if I’m not undergo a proper research on this innovation Do you think it won for the GenV Camapaigns I doubt? The Ashoka has set an international standard. If that was your opinion go for it, as long as theses innovation is very innovative.
The idea presented her is not the complete idea itself, it is just the summary, and the full concept of this idea is in me. The palm fronds cement bonded blocks already test at the Department of Public Work sand Highway using the compression machine. result shows that this block passed the requirement set by the America Standard of Civil Engineers. You can contact me to sultan_mark@yahoo.com.ph, for the complete idea.
Stanley Leng
30. Jul, 2010
Would your Palm Frond Cement Block be similar to Wood Wool Cement Boards in any way? Thank you.
Mark
17. May, 2011
No its different from Wood Wool Cement Boards.