Development of coconut coir-based lightweight cement board

Published Date
February 2007, Vol.21(2):277–288, doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.08.028

Author 

C. Asasutjarit ^a

J. Hirunlabh ^a,,

J. Khedari ^d

S. Charoenvai ^a

B. Zeghmati ^b

U. Cheul Shin ^c

• aBuilding Scientific Research Center (BSRC), King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi, Thailand
• bCentre d’Etudes Fondamentales, Groupe de Mécanique, Acoustique et Instrumentation, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan cedex, France
• cBELab, Architectural Engineering, Daejeon University, Yongun-dong, Dong-ku, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
• dSouth-East Asia University, Bangkok, Thailand

Received 23 February 2005. Revised 20 August 2005. Accepted 26 August 2005. Available online 18 October 2005.

Abstract

This paper presents investigation conducted in Thailand on the development of coconut coir-based lightweight cement boards (CCB). These boards were made from coconut coir, cement and water. They are intended to be used as building components for energy conservation. The investigations focused on parameters, mainly, fiber length, coir pretreatment and mixture ratio that affect the properties of boards. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the specimens were determined after 28 days of hydration. Results of this study indicated that the best pretreatment of coir fibers was to boil and wash them as it can enhance some of the mechanical properties of coir fiber. The optimum fiber length was 1–6 cm fraction, and optimum (cement:fiber:water) mixture ratio by weight was 2:1:2. The produced CCBs satisfied most recommended mechanical standards.

In addition, investigation on thermal property of specimens revealed that coconut coir-based lightweight cement board has lower thermal conductivity than commercial flake board composite. That is an important feature to promote the use of CCB’s as energy saving material in buildings.

Keywords

Internal bond

Modulus of rupture (MOR)

Modulus of elasticity (MOE)

Thermal conductivity

Water absorption

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