Comparative Analysis of Paving Blocks Reinforced with Pineapple Leaf Fibre (Ananas comosus) and Sisal Fibre (Agave sisalana)

Infrastructure expansion in Indonesia has increased the demand for paving blocks, raising concerns regarding cement production costs and environmental impact. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) and sisal fibre as natural reinforcements to enhance paving block performance. An experimental design was employed with fibre contents varying from 0% to 7% by cement volume. Specimens were cured for 28 days and tested for water absorption and compressive strength; analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Results indicated that fibre content significantly influenced both response variables (p < 0.001). Water absorption increased monotonically with fibre content, while compressive strength exhibited an inverted-U relationship with a distinct optimum at 3% fibre addition. Sisal fibre exhibited greater mechanical enhancement than PALF, achieving a maximum strength of 15.2 MPa at 3% (R² = 0.973), meeting Indonesian National Standard SNI 03-0691-1996 Class B requirements (minimum 12.5 MPa). A significant interaction between fibre type and fibre content was identified for compressive strength (F = 3.697, p = 0.012), confirming that the response to dosage differs between the two species. These findings demonstrate the potential of agricultural waste fibres for producing sustainable, eco-friendly paving blocks, supporting circular economy principles in the construction industry.