Previous Title:

Utilization of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles as Roof-Ceiling Thermal Insulator

Proposed Title:

Analysis of the Flexural Strength of Woven Cotton Reinforced Gypsum Board

Abstract:

Woven cotton fabric were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique and its composites exhibits
compressive strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness. This study focuses on the possibility of
woven cotton fabric as an effective additive to gypsum plaster to strengthen its own flexural strength.

RRL:

“The moisture content of gypsum panels will vary with the temperature and percent relative humidity of
their surroundings. Until equilibrium is established between a gypsum panel and the environment, the
moisture content of a gypsum panel will fluctuate.” In this case, a hand-held moisture meter is used.
https://gypsum.org/2019/05/moisture-in-gypsum-panel-products/

The drying process: “The panels are transferred to a conveyor line that feeds them through a long,
drying oven. At one plant, for example, the gas-fired oven is 470 feet (143 m) long. Panels enter the
oven at 500°F (260°C) and are exposed to gradually decreasing levels of heat during the 35-40 minutes
they travel through the system. Humidity and temperature are carefully controlled in the dryer.”
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Drywall.html

“During the drying phase, it is believed that elongated needle-like crystals of gypsum di-hydrate are
formed and penetrate into the interstices of the paper fibers which form the cover sheets.
One of the difficulties encountered in the production of such gypsum wallboard is the failure of such
needle-like crystals to be formed properly. If these crystals are not formed properly, the paper sheets
will be easily separated from the gypsum core and form commercially unacceptable wallboard.”
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3516882A/en

Methodology:

The researchers will use woven cloth as a reinforcement on the gypsum composites. Woven cloth is a
material that is easily available on the market, mostly on bakery shops. Woven cloth is a fabric sack
which serve as a storage for flour, and it is commonly disposed, that is why it can be easily gathered
when asked for permission or can be bought on a cheap price.

Woven cloth will be washed and dried because it can contain fines of flour powders. But before putting
it with gypsum composites on the mold, it will be soaked in water to increase the bond with gypsum
composites.
The mold where the samples will be poured are made of wood with a flat surface. The mold are to be
design to cast a 12x16x1/2 in which will be the size of all samples. Oil will be applied on the mold before
pouring samples to make sure it can be put out after curing.

On gypsum composites, Plaster of Paris, water, starch, and recycled paper bags are to be used. Plaster of
Paris are to be bought on hardware per kilogram. Plaster of Paris to water mix will be adopt to prevent
formation of lumps on the mixture. Tap water on the laboratory will used with Plaster of Paris to form a
slurry mixture. Tap water being cold in temperature will be beneficial because hot water will only
increase the setting time of the mixture. Starch dissolved in small amount of hot water will be added on
the mixture to increase the adhesion between woven cloth and the plaster. Gypsum composites will be
divided on layers and recycled paper bags are to be put per layer when pouring on the mold.

Regarding the mix design, 25 samples will be prepared. A constant water to gypsum ratio in mass will be
maintained on all specimen. 5 samples which starch to gypsum ratio in mass varies from 0% to 8% will
be made. And for each starch to gypsum ratio, a woven cloth to gypsum ratio of 1, 2, 3, and 4% in mass
will be prepared and that makes a 16 samples. A total of 25 samples which varies in starch to gypsum
ratio, and woven cloth to gypsum ratio will be tested for flexural strength.

When all the samples are poured, it will put out of mold after an hour and will be transferred on a
storage chamber where it will be cured for a 7 days. All samples will be kept dry in the laboratory and
will be stacked flat, and off the ground. The storage chamber shall be inside a building, will be on the
laboratory and fully protected from weather and direct sunlight which follows section 9 of ASTM C1264-
14a or Standard Specification for Sampling, Inspection, Rejection, Certification, Packaging, Marking,
Shipping, Handling, and Storage of Gypsum Panel Products.

The researchers will use ASTM C473-15 or Standard Test Methods for Physical Testing of Gypsum Panel
Products in testing the Flexural Strength of all samples. Test specimens will be supported near the ends
and a transverse load at a uniform rate will be applied midway between the supports. The load is
determine at the transverse failure through the thickness of the specimen.

The breaking load that is calculated from the test will be compared to minimum requirement of ASTM
C1395/1395-04 or Specification for Gypsum Ceiling Board.

Bibliography:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265845627_The_Properties_of_Fiber_Reinforced_Gypsum_
Plaster

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280387234_Flexural_Properties_of_Composite_Gypsum_Pa
rtition_Panel

https://gypsum.org/2019/05/moisture-in-gypsum-panel-products/

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Drywall.html

https://patents.google.com/patent/US3516882A/en