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RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION PROPOSAL

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

BASIC INFORMATION

COGON STRAW (IMPERATA CYLINDRICA): A SUBSTITUTE

RESEARCH TITLE
MATERIAL OF POLYSTERENE IN A STYROMESH WALL PANEL
Engr. Marlon R. Malabanan Engr. Ruth Ann D. Maningding
PROPONENTS Engr. Dianne C. Oliver Engr. Reyno N. Ramos
Engr. Rommel N. Vingua
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY Pangasinan State University
PROJECT DURATION 18 months
LOCATION Pangasinan State University, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
BUDGET REQUESTED Php 120,000.00
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

For the past years, new construction materials have been emerging on the construction market such as lightweight materials

like polystyrene – a synthetic resin which is a polymer of styrene, used chiefly as lightweight rigid foams and films. It contributes

a big percentage to our solid waste which is either thrown in landfills due to their gradual degradation rate or burnt, a process

through which plastic releases harmful gases to the atmosphere. Therefore, it is essential to lessen the practice of using plastics

through sustainable construction. One of the concepts of sustainability is innovation which entails the development of new and

efficient materials. Despite having a high tensile strength, cogon grass is abundant everywhere.

Wall panel is an alternative building system used in place of wood or metal-framed walls, hollow block walls or pre-cast

walls. Panelized construction is an old construction practice since the early 1890s (Allen, and Thallon, 2011). It is a single piece

of material, usually flat and cut into a rectangular shape, that serves as the visible and exposed covering for a wall. Wall panels are

functional as well as decorative, providing insulation and soundproofing, combined with uniformity of appearance, along with

some measure of durability or ease of replaceability.

This research project will determine if the cogon stem is a more suitable core material for a wall panel compared to
RATIONALE
polystyrene. It will also help in reducing the amount of carbon being deposited to the atmosphere caused by burning the straw and

using its ashes as fertilizer to crops and in reducing the non-biodegradable wastes from polystyrenes.

This study is based on cogon straw, a material that has a property suitable to be a core material in a wall panel. This is also

considered as a sustainable construction wherein it includes using renewable resources contributing to sustainable development.

In recent years, new construction materials, techniques and methods emerged with the intention of improving efficiency and

performance, and reducing construction waste. One of which is sustainable construction.

Sustainable construction aims to meet present day needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

own needs in times to come. It incorporates elements of economic efficiency, environmental performance and social responsibility

(La Farge Foundation, 2015). The idea of sustainability includes preservation of the environment and so are the different critical

development-related issues, for example: the efficient use of resources, stable economic growth, continual social development, and

the suppression of poverty. Sustainable Construction also considers the part and the possible interface of the environment in

providing services. Incorporation of the environment with the built environment can play an important role in resource-conscious

design (Kibert, 2008).

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Almost half of today’s population lives in urban environments and sustainable buildings have become a fundamental

foundation for securing long-term environmental, economic and social viability. And buildings have the capacity to make a chief

contribution to a more sustainable future for our planet.

This project study was undertaken in order to develop a wall panel using cogon grass as substitute for styromesh.

 The main objectives of this study are:

1. 1. To produce a lightweight wall panel without sacrificing its quality.

2. 2. To produce a sustainable construction material.

3. 3. To fabricate a wall panel that would be more economical and eco-friendlier.

4. 4. To determine if the cogon straw is a more suitable core material in fabricating a wall panel.
OBJECTIVES
 Specifically it aims to:

1. 1. Test the functionality and strength of the fabricated wall panel by the determination of:

1.1. Flexural strength or modulus of rupture that test the capacity of material or structure which measured in terms of

stress to resist the bending of loads.

1.2. Compressive strength that test capacity of material or structure which to resist tending of loads to reduce size.

1.3. Thermal capacity that test the resistance of the material or structure in thermal heat caused by fire.

Both experimental and comparative research methodology will be used for the study. Three sets of samples depending

on the number of bundles having the same weight reinforced in the wall panel will be used in conducting different kinds of tests

that will determine the wall panel’s compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal capacity. Tables 1.1 and 1.2 show the

number of tests conducted every 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of curing.

SAMPLE NUMBER OF BUNDLES

A 5

B 4

C 3

Table 1.1
METHODOLOGY
CURING PERIOD*

NUMBER OF TESTS
SAMPLE A SAMPLE B SAMPLE C
TYPE OF TEST

FLEXURAL 3 3 3

COMPRESSIVE 3 3 3

THERMAL 3 3 3

Table 1.2

*Curing Periods: Day 7, 14, 21, 28

Australian Straw Bale Building Association (ASBBA) 2011. Ausbale: Promoting The Art And Science Of Straw Bale Building.
Mudgee, NSW. http://ausbale.org

Allen, E. and Thallon. R. (2011). Fundamentals of Residential Construction, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York
REFERENCES
Downton, P. (2013). Your Home: Materials, Straw Bale. pp.282 – 298

Kibert, C. (2008). Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery, 2 nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken,
New Jersey
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La Farge Holcim Foundation (July15, 2015). Understanding Sustainable Construction. Retrieved October 2015, from
http://www.lafargeholcim-foundation.org/AboutPages/what-is-sustainable-construction

Mackwood, C., and Mack, P. (2000). Straw bale building: How to plan, design, and build with straw. New Society, Gabriola
Island, BC, Canada.

Schnell Home. Innovative Building Elements. [Brochure] Italy

Simmons, L.H. (2011). Olin’s Construction: Principles, Materials and Methods 9 th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken,
New Jersey. pp. 378 – 379 and 420 – 421.

Srinivas, Ch., Sudhakar, K. Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Rice Straw Fiber Polypropylene Composites. Int. Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications, Vol. 4, Issue 1 (Version 2), pp. 182 – 187.

Wu, Q. Using Engineered Composites From Rice Straw As Wood Alternatives. Louisiana Agriculture, Summer 2005 Issue.

COGON STRAW & STEEL MATTING

G. I WIRE TIES

CONCRETE MEMBRANE

Fig. 1 Detail of Cogon Straw Mesh Wall Panel

EXPECTED OUTPUT

Fig. 2 Panel Section

Fig. 3- Cogon Straw Mesh

Materials:

1. Cogon Straw

2. G.I. Wire (no. 18)

3. Sand

4. Cement
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5. Marine Plywood ¼ inch thick

6. Steel Matting

The study about the cogon grass as a substitute core material involves an effort, hard work, and long preparation

especially for those who intend to use this proposed material. The researcher decided to pursue this study as a way of

testing the effects of using the cogon strawmesh wall panel. Through the result of the research, the study might help

and benefit the following.

 Farmers - Cogon grass is labeled as an “invasive species” by the government of the Philippines because of its rapid

POTENTIAL IMPACT reproduction of seeds and spread throughout a large area quickly. This type of grass is commonly known as a pest by

most farmers because crops are disturbed by this grass.

 Future Researchers - This study mainly focuses on fabricating a sustainable economic and eco-friendly substitute core

material for styromesh wall panel using available raw materials that will improve the functionality and strength of the

wall panel. Future researchers can also conduct studies that can improve or add functions to the cogon straw wall panel.

 Construction Industry -

Targeted Date Description

January 2020 – April 2020 Cogon Strawmesh Fabrication
• Assembly of the panels.
May 2020 – July 2020 • (Applying plaster on all faces of both strawmesh and styromesh)

• Curing Period (every morning and afternoon for 28 days)

August 2020 – October 2020
MILESTONE
• Testing the Panels for Compression and Flexure using the Universal Testing
November 2020 – March 2021 Machine (UTM) and FLIR C2 for thermal capacity test

April 2021 – June 2021 • Analyzing the results statistically using T-test for Two-Independent Samples.
• Deciding whether straw is a suitable substitute core material

PSU
USERS OR BENEFICIARIES

Amount Description
30,000.00 Encoder/Programmer/Research aide
30,000.00 Data Gathering/Assembly/Testing
DETAILED BUDGET
30,000.00 Supplies/Materials
REQUIREMENT
30,000.00 Travelling expenses
120,000.00 TOTAL

BRIEF PROFILE OF PROPONENTS

MARLON R. MALABANAN, CE RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING, CE

Faculty, Civil Engineering Department Faculty, Civil Engineering Department
PSU – Urdaneta City PSU – Urdaneta City

DIANNE C. OLIVER, CE REYNO N. RAMOS, CE

Faculty, Civil Engineering Department Faculty, Civil Engineering Department
PSU – Urdaneta City PSU – Urdaneta City
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ROMMEL N. VINGUA, CE
Faculty, Civil Engineering Department
PSU – Urdaneta City

SUBMITTED BY:

___________________________________ ___________________________________
MARLON R. MALABANAN, CE RUTH ANN D. MANINGDING, CE

___________________________________
___________________________________
REYNO N. RAMOS, CE
DIANNE C. OLIVER, CE

___________________________________
ROMMEL N. VINGUA, CE

NOTED BY:

___________________________________ ___________________________________
CHRISTINE TABLATIN RESURRECCION V. GARROTE, MSCE
Campus Research Coordinator Campus Executive Director