KRAFT PAPER CEMENT BOARD REINFORCED WITH STEEL FIBERS

FOR CEILING BOARDS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

ACO, CESAR JANE O.

ARANDIA, DAWN B.
BACUNAWA, PHILIP G.
BALEÑA, DAN ALFRED C.
BALLADO, NATHANIEL B.
TUBA, CRISTIAN B.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

University of Eastern Philippines
University Town, Northern Samar

2023
 Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

This research will focus on the characteristics and suitability of Kraft

paper for the production of ceiling boards. Kraft paper is a strong paper or

cardboard made from wood pulp produced from wood chips boiled in an

alkaline solution containing sodium sulfate (Definition of KRAFT, 2015).

Significant engineering properties of Kraft paper which includes physical and

mechanical characteristics, and thermal insulation, among others, were

characterized.

Kraft paper, also known as Kraft, is a strong paperboard material that’s

composed of chemical pulp produced in the Kraft process. Kraft paper is a

commonly used material in e-commerce and food packaging products due to

its durability, elasticity and environmentally friendly benefits.

Kraft paper was invented in 1879 by an individual named Carl Dahl. He

chose to give his newly created paper the name “Kraft” – the German word for

strong. Kraft paper packaging is already a well-known part of the printing and

packaging world. From serving as a strong filler in the packages you receive,

to eloquently wrapping gift boxes, it’s hard to find a package that doesn’t use

this durable paper in some form or fashion when it comes to sustainable and

eco-friendly packaging. The way that Kraft paper is made helps to make it

inherently strong. But it can be made even stronger and better by coating the

resulting pressed paper with PE or polyethylene. This also helps protect

the Kraft paper from moisture and bacteria. Unlike the processing that occurs

with regular paper manufacturing and printing, Kraft paper follows a much
simpler process using fewer chemicals. In addition, these chemicals can be

recovered, recycled and reused without any loss in quality.

Kraft paper can also be made from different kinds of wood. Certain

woods like bamboo and pine aren’t often used in the making of traditional paper.

Pine is too resinous and bamboo takes a long time to be correctly processed

which makes it cost prohibitive for most ordinary uses. However, both of these

types of common woods make excellent use of the Kraft paper process (What

Is Kraft Paper? Unique Eco-Friendly Benefits for Durable Packaging, 2020).

These days, particleboards are widely used for ceiling boards. Cement-

bonded particleboard is made up of Portland cement and wood fibers. It is

retailed in sheets of varying thicknesses. Different kinds of softwoods like

beech, pine, and spruce are used for making particle boards. Particleboard is

cut with a disc-chipper. After cutting the wood into particles, it is allowed to dry.

Resin is applied to glue the particles together and render the board, more

stable. These glued particles are then shaped into sheets (Kapoor, 2010).

This paper intends to offer an alternative material to wood fibers by using

recycled Kraft papers for potential environment-friendly building materials

which can be used in the construction industry for various purposes. This study

will also use steel fibers recycled from waste tires to reinforce the concrete outer

layers of the ceiling board and identify its physical and mechanical properties

and its suitability to be used as a ceiling board. The concrete outer layers will

then be bonded with the Kraft paper using an acrylic polymer adhesive.
Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the following:

University of Eastern Philippines. This research will serve as an

additional reference for future experimental research.

Community. The results of this study will help in minimizing the

production of waste materials from Kraft paper packaging by recycling these

materials to ceiling boards.

The Construction Industry. This research will hopefully provide an

alternative sustainable building material that can be used in different

construction projects while taking care of the environment.

Researchers. This study will give better insight to researchers about the

different alternative materials for a more sustainable ceiling board. This study

will also be beneficial for the students of the UEP – COE Civil Engineering

Department to enhance their research skills and apply their academic

knowledge to real life situations.

Future Researchers. The results of this study will be useful for future

researchers who will conduct experimental studies.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study aims to determine the potential of using Kraft

papers with concrete reinforced with steel fibers as an alternative to the

production of ceiling boards.

Specifically, this research aims to determine:

1. the physical properties of Kraft paper ceiling boards with concrete outer

layers reinforced with steel fibers in terms of:

a. Density
 b. Thickness Swelling

c. Water Absorption

2. the mechanical properties of Kraft paper ceiling boards with concrete outer

layers reinforced with steel fibers in terms of:

a. Modulus of Rupture

b. Thermal Conductivity

c. Screw Withdrawal

d. Internal Bond Strength

3. whether there is a significant difference in the mechanical properties

between:

a. 50% concrete and 50% Kraft paper ceiling board

b. 67% concrete and 33% Kraft paper ceiling board

c. 40% concrete and 60% Kraft paper ceiling board

4. if there is economic benefit of using ceiling boards made of Kraft paper and

concrete.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research will focus on the physical and mechanical properties of

Kraft paper with concrete ceiling board, with the goal of determining whether it

is more sustainable compared to typical particle boards using wood fibers. The

concrete outer layers will be reinforced with steel fibers recycled from waste

tires for additional strength. Due to financial and time constraints as well as lack

of laboratory equipment, only certain properties will be tested.

Specifically, this research aims to determine the potential of using Kraft

papers with concrete outer layers reinforced with steel fibers as an alternative
to the production of ceiling boards. The economic benefits and sustainability

properties of the board will also be considered.

Time and Place of the Study

This study will be conducted on the University of Eastern Philippines –

Main Campus (UEP – Main), the first state university in the Visayas and the

largest university in Region 8 in terms of curricular offerings and student

population. Due to the lack of equipment and laboratories in UEP - Main, the

researchers will find an institution that has the necessary equipment for this

research. The Forestry Products Research and Development Institute –

Department of Science and Technology in the University of the Philippines –

Los Baños is being considered as the location for the tests of this study due to

the availability of necessary machines and equipment.

Definition of Terms
To better understand this research paper, the following terms are

defined:

Adhesive. A non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of

two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation.

Admixture. The action of adding an ingredient to something else,

typically as a minor ingredient.

Ceiling Board. The material used for the overhead surface or surfaces

covering a room, and the underside of a floor or a roof.

 Density. The volumetric mass density or specific mass, the substance's

mass per unit of volume.

Durability. The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

Fiber. A natural or artificial substance that is significantly longer than it is

wide.

Flexural Stress. The highest stress experienced within the material at its

moment of yield.

Internal Bond Strength. Conceptually and operationally, it is the strength

of the bond between the fiber particles in the composite board.

Modulus of Rupture. An ultimate strength pertaining to the failure of

beams by flexure equal to the bending moment at rupture divided by the section

modulus of the beam.

Screw Withdrawal. Conceptually and operationally, it determines the

holding strength of various sizes of screws penetrated to various depths in the

face of the particleboard.

Shrinkage. A reduction in the size of something.

Steel Fiber. A discrete, short length of steel having ratio of its length to

diameter (i.e. aspect ratio) in the range of 20 to 100 with any of the several

cross-sections, and that are sufficiently small to be easily and randomly

dispersed in fresh concrete mix using conventional mixing procedure.

Tensile Strength. The resistance of a material to breaking under tension

Thermal Conductivity. The ability of a given material to conduct/transfer

heat.

Thickness Swelling. The stability performance of the composite.

 Water Absorption. The amount of water absorbed by a material and is

calculated as the ratio of the weight of water absorbed to the weight of the

dry material.
 Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign Literature

Furnishing of ceiling covering is an essential stage in the building

process. It is gradually becoming increasingly difficult to obtain solid wood for

this purpose because matured wood is no longer readily available and those

available contain large proportion of sapwood which is susceptible to insects

and termites attack (Owoyemi & Ogunrinde, 2013). Today, various chemicals

are added in the production of ceiling boards such as asbestos, where if

products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released

into the air. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the

lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate

and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to

serious health problems (National Cancer Institute, 2017).

Another material commonly used for the production of ceiling boards are

urea-formaldehyde. The major disadvantage associated with urea-

formaldehyde adhesives as compared with the other thermosetting wood

adhesives, such as phenol-formaldehyde and polymeric diisocyanates, is their

lack of resistance to moist conditions, especially in combination with heat.

These conditions lead to a reversal of the bond-forming reactions and the

release of formaldehyde, so these resins are usually used for the manufacture

of products intended for interior use only. However, even when used for interior

purposes, the slow release of formaldehyde (a suspected carcinogen) from

products bonded with urea-formaldehyde adhesives is observed (Urea-

Formaldehyde Resins Disadvantages - Big Chemical Encyclopedia, n.d.).

 In a research paper entitled “Suitability of Newsprint and Kraft Papers as

Materials for Cement Bonded Ceiling Board” published by Owoyemi and

Ogunrinde (2013), the suitability of Kraft paper was investigated with the goal

to focus on how to use the waste generated from paper products for ceiling

board production. According to their study, the production of ceiling board from

wastes like old newsprint and Kraft paper with cement as binder may provide

an alternative to sawn timber or other wood waste like sawdust, wood chips etc.

The use of recycled Kraft paper for the production of panel products will also

reduce the demand for wood and wood products for other board production as

they are available in large quantity, thereby reducing pressure on forest and

ensures sustainable forest management. The results of this study had proved

the suitability of Newsprint and Kraft paper types for the production of cement

bonded ceiling board and that the blend of the two-paper type increased the

strength properties and surface quality. Desired board grade could be produced

by working out cement and paper ratios carefully. The flexural and thickness

swelling properties of the board were affected more by cement mixing ratio than

blending proportion, however low-density boards with low strength properties

could be suitable for wall treatment as insulating boards.

A study entitled “Potential Uses of Waste Paper/Sludge as a Ceiling

Material” by Folorunso and Anyata (2007), discussed the safe and economic

potentials of waste paper/sludge in the production of ceiling material with the

need for better and more-cost effective production of the material. It discusses

the mixture of cement with paper sludge to produce a suitable ceiling material.

In this study, tests were carried out on the produced material to ascertain the

suitability of waste paper/sludge as a ceiling material, this includes, Water

absorption, drying shrinkage, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, nail ability,

durability, compressive strength, fire resistance etc. The result shows that, the

physical and mechanized properties, of the produced material showed a

significant improvement and advantage over the conventional asbestos ceiling.

The main component of recycled materials is waste paper/sludge. The physical

and mechanical properties of the produced ceiling board also indicated that the

material is lightweight.

In a research paper entitled “Performance of Cement Board in Presence

of Waster Paper” by Rashid and Dey (2019), it was found that cement board

produced from waste newspaper comply the flexural requirement of grade I and

II type cement board according to ASTM C 1186-08. The result of their study

also showed that paper cement board may be cheaper in terms of cost,

performance and environmental aspect when compared with wood and other

available board. Cement board with paper exhibits less brittle behavior than

board with no paper. Their experiment also showed that the modulus of rupture

of the board is higher with 5 percent paper by weight. In every cases of pressure

this result is spot on. However, deflection of the board is reduced with lower

amount of paper in the board. Higher initial pressure exhibits lower deflection

of the board. Pressure makes the sample dense and enhances its

compactness. Modulus of Rupture improves with pressure and it has been

found maximum at 6.9 MPa.

In an experimental research entitled “Hygrothermal Performance of

Drywall Reinforced with Kraft-Paper Honeycomb in the Canadian Context” by

Sepideh Shahbazi (2022), results indicated that the new sandwich panel

showed better physical and mechanical properties compared to the gypsum

drywall. The results presented that flexural strength and stiffness of the

cementitious mix designs with the addition of flax fibers were increased

substantially, with respect to the core thickness. Flax fibers are effective in

reinforcing the cementitious plates by increasing the cracking resistance and

following that enhancing the flexural strength of the sandwich panels.

Another research paper entitled “The Mechanical Properties of Ceiling

Board Produced from Waste Paper” by U. E. Ekpunobi, et. al. (2014) shows

that the boards produced from waste paper had a good hardness property,

compressive strength and a special water resistant property which can find

usage in humid areas because of its low value of percentage water absorption.

Steel fibers are also commonly studied these days to identify its physical

and mechanical properties and use this material for additional reinforcement on

concrete. In a study conducted by H. P. Behbahani, Steel Fiber Reinforced

Concrete: A Review, adding Steel Fibers into the conventional reinforced

concrete members has several advantages such as the following, thereby

increasing the use of steel-fiber-added RC (SFARC) structures compared to

conventional RC members.

a) Addition of steel fibers can provide an increased impact resistance to

conventional reinforced concrete members, thereby enhancing the

resistance to local damage and spalling.

b) Addition of steel fibers can inhibit crack growth and crack widening; this

may allow the use of high strength steel bars without having excessive

crack width or deformation at service loads.

c) Addition of steel fibers increases the ductility of conventionally reinforced

concrete members, and hence, enhances their stability and integrity under

earthquake and blast loading.

d) Addition of steel fibers increases the shear strength of reinforced concrete

members. As a consequence, punching shear strength of slabs will be

increased and sudden punching failure can be transformed into a gradual

ductile failure (Gambhir, 1995)

In the paper entitled “Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete” by Nguyen Van

Chanh, it was found that steel fibers are generally found to have aggregate

much greater effect on the flexural strength of SFRC than on either the

compressive or tensile strength, with increases of more than 100% having been

reported. The increases in flexural strength is particularly sensitive, not only to

the fiber volume, but also to the aspect ratio of the fibers, with higher aspect

ratio leading to larger strength increases.

The use of steel fibers, recovered from tire waste, as a raw material to

reinforce concrete is an environmentally friendly and economically viable

solution to manage the end-products of tire recycling. Few studies have been

carried out to study the behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete made using steel

fibers recovered from tire waste. However, it has been found that there is the

potential to reuse steel fibers recovered from tire waste (RF) as an alternative

building material to manufactured steel fibers (SF). Nevertheless, more

research is needed to verify that the structural performance of recycled fiber

reinforced concrete (RFRC) is similar to that of manufactured fiber reinforced

concrete (SFRC) (Samarakoon et al., 2019).

 Steel fiber-reinforced cement (SFRC) is a composite material that can

be used for a variety of construction applications, including ceilings. SFRC is

typically made by adding small, uniformly dispersed steel fibers to a cement

mixture to improve the material’s strength and durability. When used for ceiling

applications, SFRC offers several benefits over traditional ceiling materials

such as gypsum board or plaster. SFRC is known for its high strength and

toughness, which makes it more resistant to damage from impacts or vibrations

(M. M. Reda Taha and D. C. Jansen, 2014).

The combination of steel fiber-reinforced cement and Kraft paper board

in this composite material offers several benefits. The steel fibers help to

reinforce the cement and distribute loads more evenly, making the material

stronger and more durable. The Kraft paper board provides a lightweight, eco-

friendly alternative to other such as plywood or particle board, making the

composite material more sustainable and easier to work with. Overall, Kraft

paper board sandwiched between steel fiber-reinforced cement is a versatile

and durable composite material that can be used in a wide range of

construction applications (J. Li, D. Zhang, and S. Cai, 2018).

Local Literature
In a research paper entitled “Alternative construction material from a

recycling paper mill sludge” by E.C. Fernandez (2002), it determined the

technical and economic feasibility of these waste fibers for the production of a

useful and valuable products, namely: fiber-reinforced cement-bonded boards.

The performance of these boards as an alternative construction material was

likewise determined. Cement-bonded boards with sludge as the main

ingredient has comparable mechanical and physical properties compared to

other cement-bonded boards abundant nowadays. The fibers bond well

together and fit into the interlaced crystals of hardened cement. The sludge is

relatively free of extractives, like phenolics and sugars, which are known

inhibitors in cement-bonded boards.

In bending strength and quality performance, the cement-bonded board

from paper mill sludge were comparable with those of FPRDI [Forest Product

Research and Development Inst., College, Laguna, Philippines] wood wool

cement board and German and Japanese industrial standard for wood wool

slab cement boards. The cement-bonded boards from paper mill sludge are

fire-resistant and have acoustical property. Heavy metals like lead, zinc,

cadmium and chromium are no longer emitted by the boards as shown by the

results of the chemical analyses of the leaches. Cement-bonded boards

manufactured from paper mill sludge, therefore, can be utilized for construction

purposes as demonstrated by the construction of a model house. The pilot

production of cement-bonded boards from sludge is technically and

economically feasible. A commercial production of these boards by interested

paper mill is highly recommended.

 Chapter III
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials and Apparatuses

The researchers used the following materials and equipment according

to their respective purpose:

A. Materials for Sample Preparation

 Kraft paper

 Portland cement

 Steel Fibers recycled from waste tires

 Water

 Acrylic Polymer Adhesive

 400 mm x 400 mm molding frame

B. Apparatus for the Experiment

 Adhesive Containers

 Basin

 Cutting Tool

 Oven Dryer

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Weighing Scale

 Moisture meter

 Container for specimen

 Trowel

 Measuring Tools
Research Design

The researchers will employ an experimental research method to

conduct this study to identify the physical and mechanical properties of Kraft

paper bonded with concrete reinforced with steel fiber. The research method

was based on the related literature entitled “Suitability of Newsprint and Kraft

Papers as Material for Cement Bonded Ceiling Board” (Owoyemi and

Ogunrinde, 2013).

The researchers will use a sandwich-type method to produce the ceiling

board. The ceiling board will have 3 layers with a Cement-Kraft paper thickness

ratio of 0.33:0.33:0.33, 0.25:0.5:0.25 and 0.2:0.6:0.2, where the Kraft-paper

layer will be placed in the center. The finished ceiling board will have a

thickness of 25 mm. The researchers will prepare three variations of mixing

proportions for the 25 mm ceiling board using an acrylic polymer adhesive for

bonding. The thickness of the acrylic polymer adhesive will not be included to

the 25 mm ceiling board. The mixtures will be labeled according to their

thickness ratios; mixture 1 as CB-1, having a ratio of 33% Kraft Paper and 67%

cement which will be divided into two outer layers; mixture 2 as CB-2, having a

ratio of 50% Kraft paper and 50% cement which will also be divided into two for

the outer layers of the board; mixture 3 as CB-3, having a ratio of 60% Kraft

paper and 40% cement for the two outer layers.

The researchers will gather waste tires and remove the steel fibers inside

using a sharp tool such as a blade or knife. The extracted steel fibers will then

be put in an oven with 136 degrees Celsius temperature to remove excess

rubber. The steel fibers will then be cut into 20 mm strips and will be spread

across the cement for the concrete outer layers.

 The researchers will use a 400 mm by 400 mm square molder to shape

the cement boards and the Kraft paper layer. Minimum of four cement boards

will be produced every variant and a drying oven will be used to ensure the

removal of excess water. The physical property tests of the ceiling board

include density, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The mechanical

property tests include modulus of rupture, thermal insulation, internal bond

strength and screw withdrawal.

Table 1.1 Experimental Layout for Ceiling Board Testing

Ratio of Different
Thickness of
Mixture Mixture
the Board
(C/KP/C)
CB-1 33.33/33.33/33.33 25 mm
CB-2 25/50/25 25 mm
CB-3 20/60/20 25 mm

Research Methods and Procedures

A. Gathering of Materials
The researchers will collect Kraft papers from their own homes as well

as from different offices and establishments in Northern Samar. The acrylic

polymer adhesives will be purchased from hardware stores. The Kraft paper

will be soaked in water for 5 days. After soaking, the Kraft paper will be air and

sun dried. An oven drier will be used to remove any excess moisture from the

board. The steel fibers will be taken from waste tires. The fibers will be taken

out manually and to ensure that excess rubber will be removed. It will then be

placed in an oven to soften the rubber and it will be scraped from the steel

fibers.
B. Preparation of Adhesive
The researchers will be using an acrylic polymer adhesive to bind the

cement boards with the Kraft paper layer. This acrylic polymer is effective in

binding Portland cement with other materials and can also help in waterproofing

the panel.

C. Mix Design and Mixing of Materials

The researchers will make four 400 mm x 400 mm sample of each

mixture shown in Table 1.1. The cement will be bonded with the Kraft paper

layer. The thickness of the mixture will have 67% cement board and 33% Kraft

paper layer, 50% cement board and 50% Kraft paper, and 40% cement board

and 60% Kraft paper.

The cement-water-steel fiber ratio will be based on Water Cement Ratio

IS 10262 (2009) which requires 360 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 of cement and 0.40 water-cement

ratio. The researchers will be approximately using 8.64 kg of cement to

produced the desired number of samples. The amount of steel fibers is 45

𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 which is based on the article “How to Use Steel Fibers in Concrete” by

Joe Nasvik published on March 30, 2012.

Table 1.2 Experimental Layout for Ceiling Board Testing

Ratio of Different Length and width Number of

Mixtures of samples
Mixture Samples
(C/KP/C)
CB-1 33.33/33.33/33.33 400 mm x 400 mm 4
CB-2 25/50/25 400 mm x 400 mm 4

CB-3 20/60/20 400 mm x 400 mm 4

D. Fabricating the Ceiling Board
The researchers will place the materials to a 400 mm by 400 mm molding

frame for pressing and it will be placed in a hot press machine for five minutes,

applying a temperature of 150°C and a load of 30 kg/cm2 above the form cover.

A plate will be placed on top of the board to act as a stopper in order to maintain

the thickness of the board while it undergoes compressing.

E. Cutting of Test Specimens

The size of the test specimens will be based on the sizes used by

Buenaventura, Aldon, et. al. (2023), in the research paper entitled “A

Comparative Study of Integrating Cotton and Polyester Textile Waste Fiber for

Particleboard Bonded with Urea-Formaldehyde Adhesive”. The laboratory

professor will determine the appropriate size for each specimen to conduct test.

Table 1.3 shows the ceiling board specimen sizes for each the mixture.

Table 1.3 Ceiling Board Specimen Size

Tests Standard Specimen Size

Density & Moisture Content 50 mm x 120mm
Thickness swelling 50 mm x 50mm

Water Absorption 50 mm x 50mm

Modulus of Rupture 56.67mm x 270mm
Thermal Conductivity 50 mm x 50 mm
Screw Withdrawal Test 50 mm x 120 mm
Internal Bond Strength 50mm x 50mm
F. Determination of Physical Properties of the Kraft Paper Cement Board

1. Density

The researchers will weigh the ceiling board using a digital weighing

scale. The formula below will be used to obtain the density.

𝑚
𝑝=
𝑉
Where:
𝜌 = Density of the Particleboard (𝑔/𝑐𝑚3)
𝑚 = Weight of the Specimen (𝑔)
V = Volume of the Specimen (𝑐𝑚3)

2. Thickness Swelling

The researchers will be measuring the initial thickness of the ceiling board

before soaking the sample in a container with water for 24 hours. After 24 hours,

the final thickness will be determined. The difference in thickness will be

measured by using a Vernier Caliper. The formula below was used to obtain

the percentage of thickness swelling.

𝑡2 − 𝑡1
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 % = 𝑥 100
𝑡1

Where:
𝑇𝑆% = Thickness Swelling Percentage (%)
𝑡1 = Initial Thickness (𝑚𝑚)
𝑡2 = Final Thickness (𝑚𝑚)
3. Water Absorption
The researchers will determine the initial weight of the ceiling board sample

before soaking it in a container with water for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the final

weight will be measured. The change in weight will be measured using a digital

weighing scale. The formula below will be used to determine the percentage of

water absorption.
 𝑚2 − 𝑚1
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 % = 𝑥 100
𝑚1

Where:
𝑊𝐴% = Water Absorption Percentage (%)
𝑚1 = Initial Weight (𝑔)
𝑚2 = Final Weight (𝑔)
G. Determination of Mechanical Properties of the Kraft Paper Cement Board

1. Modulus of Rupture

The researchers will be using the ASTM D 1037 "Standard Test Methods

for Wood Based Fiber and Particle Panel Materials" using a Universal Testing

Machine (UTM) to find the modulus of rupture of the ceiling board. The formula

below was used to obtain the modulus of rupture.

3𝐹𝐿
σ=
2𝑏𝑑 2
Where:
𝜎 = Modulus of Rupture (𝑀𝑃𝑎)
𝐹 = Maximum Load (𝑁)
𝐿 = Length of the Specimen (𝑚𝑚)
𝑏 = Width of the Specimen (𝑚𝑚)
𝑑 = Depth of the Specimen (𝑚𝑚)

2. Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of the ceiling board will also be tested. The

procedure will be based on how the laboratory professor instructs the test to be

conducted. The equation below will be used to determine the thermal

conductivity of the board:

𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
𝐴∆𝑇
where:
k = the thermal conductivity (Wm-1K-1)
Q = amount of heat transferred through the material (Js -1)
 L = thickness of the material (m)
A = area of the body (m2)
ΔT = temperature difference (K)

3. Screw Withdrawal Test

The researchers will use the ASTM D 1037 "Standard Test Methods for

Wood Based Fiber and Particle Panel Materials" using a Universal Testing

Machine (UTM) to determine the screw withdrawal strength of the

particleboard. The formula below was used to obtain the results.

𝑝1 + 𝑝2
𝑆𝑊𝑆 =
2

Where:

𝑆𝑊𝑆 = Screw Withdrawal Strength (𝑘𝑔𝑓)

𝑝1 = Load at Failure at Left (𝑘𝑔𝑓)

𝑝2 = Load at Failure at Right (𝑘𝑔𝑓)

4. Internal Bond Strength Test

The researchers will be employing the ASTM D 1037 "Standard Test

Methods for Wood Based Fiber and Particle Panel Materials" using a Universal

Testing Machine (UTM) to determine the internal bond strength of the

particleboard. The formula below was used to obtain the results.

𝑃
𝐼𝐵𝐹 =
𝑙𝑤

Where:

𝐼𝐵𝐹 = Internal Bond Strength (𝑘𝑔/𝑐𝑚2)

𝑃 = Load at Failure (𝑘𝑔𝑓)

𝑙 = Length of the Specimen (𝑐𝑚)

𝑤 = Length of the Specimen (𝑐𝑚)

Data Analysis Procedure

The researchers will be using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with

a 0.05 level of significance to identify if there will be significant differences

between the different mixtures of the ceiling board. After using the one-way

ANOVA, the researchers will then be using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test

(DMRT) to determine specifically which means are different.

Economic Benefit Analysis

In order to identify the economic benefits of this study, the researchers

will use a cost benefit analysis (also known as a benefit cost analysis. The

model is built by identifying the benefits of an action and subtracting the costs

from benefits. When completed, a cost benefit analysis will yield concrete

results that can be used to develop reasonable conclusions around the

feasibility and/or advisability of a decision or situation (Weller, 2016).

 Bibliography

Kapoor, A. (2010, March 7). What is Cement Bonded Particleboard? |

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