HIGH-DENSITY COMPOSITE COGON GRASS

PLYBOARD

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The quest of plyboards is continuously escalating conformance to the demand

for housing and furniture. A sheet material manufactured from small pieces of wood
or other ligno-cellulosic materials agglomerated by use of an organic/inorganic
binder. It is extensively used in building material due to its availability in different
grades with respect to its size of the particles being used.
Philippines does experience numerous times of extreme heat in day to day
living. Thus, heat insulators are being draw on to address the needs of residents about
the thermal conductivity of their ceiling ang roofs. In addition of that boards and
sheets are being tested of which and what is more productive in terms of cost and
effectivity.
For many years Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical
Database (FAOSTAT) statistically studying the importation and production of particle
board in the Philippines. In year 2017, over four thousand cubic meter of particle
boards are being produced by registered companies and industries in the country. Due
to its increasingly demand in the market, some corporation are finding ways to fulfill
what is lacking in any means.
Considering the short growth cycle, abundance, yet unsuitable for grazing
animal and lack of commercial applications of this grass, it can be contemplated as an
alternative board to reduce and substitute the usage of raw materials for board
industry production. Non-wood plant materials including, annual plants and
agriculture residues are potential substitute to replace the limited wood resources.
 Japgrass, bladygrass, speargrass, alang-alang, lalang-lalang is what Imperata
cylindrica also called. Cogon grass or Imperata cylindrica is known and been found in
over 70 countries around the world.
Cogon Grass is most noticeable as opulent stands of yellowish-green grass
growing along roadsides and mountainous open area which are usually in full sun.
The silica content of cogon grass has not been documented in the literature.
However, Dozier and Shilling (2008) mentioned that cogon grasses are rich in silica
and can be used to produce high purity amorphous silica. This is because glassy
blades were observed to be highly deposited at the margins of cogon grass. The
formation of glassy blades in cogon grass is a consequence of silicic acid uptake from
the soil. However, no further information or data are provided to support these claims.
In addition, high-purity silica may be obtained by removing minerals in the biomass
by acid leaching.
This study aimed to maximize the use of Imperata cylindrica or Cogon grass
as a thermal heat reducer in our fellow Filipino houses and buildings considering the
type of climate we had, we have and we will experience. Thus, the positivity of this
study will lead us to product exportation and will be recognize in the market.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research studies, the effectiveness of Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica)
as thermal heat flow reducer board, purpose to have an alternative plyboard to reduce
tree cutting producing plywood. Specific questions that the researcher aims to answer
are as follows:
1. How cogon (grass) plyboard will efficiently minimize thermal heat in any occupiable
space in any dwellings?
2. Is cogon (grass) plyboard durable material fit for building material?
a. As a ceiling
b. As an interior walling
3. Is cogon (grass) plyboard economical in terms of production cost?
4. Is cogon (grass) plyboard eco-friendly?
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to determine cogon grass as a thermal reducer
ply board that can be an alternative of plywood. Specifically aims;
1. To determine the thermal resistance of cogon grass as a plyboard.
2. To determine the thermal conductivity of a cogon grass as a plyboard.
3. To determine the temperature difference per unit thickness of cogon grass
plyboard.
4. To analyze the durability of a cogon grass as plyboard.
5. To provide durable and safe cogon grass thermal reducer plyboard an alternative
of plywood.
6. To produce an economical and environmental plyboard in the market.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will bring benefit to the following persons:
Occupants/Dwellers. The result of this research will help to provide every
occupants and dwellers an ambient and relaxing state during the time of occupancy
especially on arid days; it may be in a room or other rendezvous point to any
residential dwellings, schools, offices and other related institutions.
Designers/Builders. The outcome of this study for designers and builders of
dwellings and occupancies will bring an alternative material for building without
compromising its strength and safety, and as well as an innovative approach of
answering a comfortable place to stay for the owners and dwellers.
Farmers. The findings of the study will help farmers to earn a living of the
serious weed which are uncontrollable in existence and of no use to both the
cultivated land and to farm animals.
1.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Relevant Theories
In this part of the chapter, relevant theories for the study is summarized to act as a
guide for the researchers to thoroughly understand composite materials, strength of
materials, machine design and heat transfer.

I. Composite Materials
Composite material is a material made from two or more constituent materials
with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined,
produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.  The
new material may be preferred for many reasons: common examples include materials
which are stronger, lighter, or less expensive when compared to traditional materials.
Composites are made up of individual materials referred to as constituent
materials. There are two main categories of constituent materials: matrix and
reinforcement.
The matrix material surrounds and supports the reinforcement materials, while the
reinforcements impart their special mechanical and physical properties to enhance the
matrix properties. Both matrix and reinforcement are combined to produce new
material.
The theory behind composite materials helps the researchers to choose the
suitable components for the project. Sawdust is a good reinforcement along with the
coconut husk and industrial wood glue is a fitting matrix to bind the solid
components. These will give the particle board similar properties to the conventional
counter-type.
II. Strength of Materials
Strength of materials or mechanics of materials deals with the behavior of solid
objects subject to stresses and strains. It deals with the elastic behavior of loading
materials, relationships between externally applied loads and internal resisting forces
associated deformations.
When a load is applied to a body, the body experiences deformation, small or
large. Due to the atomic pattern comprising in the material, the external load applied
is counteracted by an internal resistance called stress. This stress tends to return the
atomic patterns to its original state sans the applied load. The total resistance is equal
to the external load.
It is impossible to directly measure the intensity of this stress, but the external
load and the area to which it is applied can be measured. Stress (s) can be equated to
the external load or applied force (F) per cross-sectional area (A) perpendicular to the
forces as shown in the equation below:
F
S =σ =
A
Where:
σ = stress (psi or lbs of force per in2) 1
F = applied force (lbs of force)
A = cross-sectional area (in2)

Stress can occur in any materials that is subjected to a load or applied forces.
Generally, stresses can be classified in categories: residual stresses, structural stresses,
pressure stresses, flow stresses, thermal stresses, and fatigue stresses.
 Stresses become increasingly important when the material is flawed. Flaws tend to
add additional stress to a material. Additionally, stresses due to cyclic or unsteady
loading can add a more severe effect on the material. The additional stresses
associated with flaws and cyclic loading may exceed the stress necessary for a
material to fail. Stress intensity within the body of a component is expressed as one of
three basic types of internal load. They are known as tensile, compressive, and shear.
Tensile and compressive stress, mathematically can be regarded as the positive and
negative versions of the same type of loading. But in mechanical design, tensile and
compressive stress are regarded separately because of the different response of the
components to the two stresses; that way it will be more accurate and safer.

1. Tensile and Compressive Stress

Tensile stress is that type of stress in which the two sections of material on either
side of a stress plane tend to pull apart or elongate. The force applied to the material is
in a stretching action. Compressive stress, on the other hand, is that type of stress in
which the material experience compression or decrease in volume. The force applied
to the material is in a squeezing action.
Tensile and compressive stress are called normal stresses because both stresses
act in a direction perpendicular (normal) to the plane where the load is applied.

P
σt=
At
 P
σc=
Ac
Where:
σt = tensile stress (psi or lbs of force per in2)
σc = compressive stress (psi or lbs of force per in2)
P = applied force (lbs of force)
At = cross-sectional area (in2)
Ac = cross-sectional area (in2)

2. Bearing Stress
Bearing stress is the stress caused by a force which is perpendicular to the
resisting area. It is the contact pressure between two separate bodies.

P
σ b=
Ab
Where:
σb = bearing stress (psi or lbs of force per in2)
P = applied force (lbs of force)
Ab = cross-sectional area (in2)
 The formulas for the tensile stress, compressive stress and bending stress will be
used by the researchers to compare the tensile strength, compressive strength and
bending strength of the cogon (grass) plyboard to the conventional particle board.

III. Machine Design

Machine design is the process of engineering design. A machine is made up
of mechanisms that work together to satisfy the requirements of what the machine
needs to accomplish.
The concept of machine design is to help the researchers build a suitable
presser for the manufacturing of the cogon grass plyboard. The design of the presser
will only be for the purpose of this study. It will be simple, substandard in size and
relatively easy to build.
However, to the downside, the performance of the end product of composite
fabrication is affected by the moisture content of the natural fibers. Hence, natural
fibers must be dried before or during processing, otherwise processes that are
insensitive to moisture must be used.
Clemons and Caulfield (2005) places emphasis on the effects of moisture content
on the performance of end products that uses natural fibers.

1.6 Conceptual Framework

The different variables show how the researcher sighted methods and

procedure that could be inflicted onto the experiment and its effectiveness in terms of

different types of physical property and strength test.

 Frame 1: Includes the methods and procedure in preparing High density

composite cogon (grass) plyboard.

Frame 2: Shows the effectiveness of high-density composite cogon (grass)

plyboard in terms of: water absorption, thickness swelling, and face screw holding

test.

I.V D.V

High density composite cogon Effectiveness in terms of:

(grass) plyboard
 Thickness swelling
 Methods and  Thermal
procedure absorption
 Nail/screw holding

1.7 SCOPE AND

LIMITATIONS

The study will be limited only to parameters involving computations for strength of
materials and other properties of Cogon grass, and determining whether it can be an
efficient alternative plyboard for ceiling and walling. Parameters such as cost
analysis, production, and installation process are not included in this study. The
sample material will be taken from anywhere. The laboratory test will be replicated
thrice at the same temperature, time, and place.

The study will be conducted at Dapitan City. Time, place, and surrounding
temperature during the experiment will be strictly the same. The sample, Cogon grass
will be taken anywhere.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

AMORPHOUS SILICA -organic material commonly used as semi-
conductor
COMPOSITE MATERIAL -material made from two or more constituent
materials with significantly different physical or
chemical properties.
IMPERATA CYLINDRICA -or cogon grass, an invasive weed and firmly
established in several southeastern states.
LIGNO-CELLULOSIC -plant dry matter, for production of biofuels,
mainly bio-ethanol
SILICA -silicon oxide (SiO2) most commonly found in
nature as quartz and in various living organism.
PLYBOARD - soft-wood stripes glued together
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY -measure the ability of material conduct heat