Thermo physical and mechanical properties plaster of Paris ceilings modified with oil palm mesocarp fiber for application in buildings
1 Department of Industrial Physics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive, 2023, 04(02), 075–085.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijstra.2023.4.2.0064
Publication history:
Received on 09 May 2023; revised on 15 June 2023; accepted on 18 June 2023
Abstract:
The essence of this study is to assess the feasibility of improving the properties of the plaster of Paris (POP) ceiling by modifying it with oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) in order to solve the disposal problem of the latter. Various weight proportions of the OPMF were used to replace the POP during the fabrication of the samples. All the samples were dried completely and then tested. The results showed that as the filler (OPMF) inclusion in the POP matrix increased from 0% to 40%, the change in mean values of water absorption, bulk density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, heat flow time, flakiness, and flexural strength (12.22 – 25.75) %, (1.768 – 1.407) 103 kgm-3, (0.2245 – 0.1465) Wm-1K-1, (1.498 – 1.825) 103 Jkg-1K-1, (8.477 – 5.705) 10-8 m2s-1, (9.64 – 14.37) mins., (0.65 – 2.08) %, and (3.02 – 1.38 ) N/mm2 respectively. It was found generally that the inclusion of the OPMF into the POP matrix could yield composite ceilings with enhanced/better thermal insulation capability for use in buildings. This, if implemented, could help to solve the disposal problem associated with waste while ensuring sustainable construction of thermally-safe and inexpensive buildings.
Keywords:
Bulk density; Flakiness; Flexural strength; Heat flow time; Thermal insulation
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0