Strength Properties of Bamboo-Fibre Cement Boards Used as Building Partitions

Abstract

This research studied the strength properties of Bamboo-fibre Cement Boards used as building partitions, and compares the results with those of a conventional partition board. Bamboo-fibre Cement Boards, with bamboo by volume of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% (designated B0, B10, B20, B30 and B40, respectively) were subjected to strength tests, and the results compared with those obtained from carrying out similar tests on samples of Gypsum Board (a building partitioning material commonly in use, locally). The tests conducted include Flexural Strength, Impact-Endurance, Bulk Density and Compressive Strength tests. The results indicated that all mix ratios of Bamboo-fibre Cement Boards performed better than the Gypsum Board in flexural strength, except the B40 sample (which gave a 32.14 N/mm2 reading); however, even this drop in flexural strength was not appreciable (as Gypsum Board gave a 32.88N/mm2 result). Impact-endurance test results showed that of all mix ratios of Bamboo-fibre Cement Boards compared to Gypsum Board, Gypsum Board’s impact-endurance value could only surpass that of B0. The next least performance in impact-endurance among the other mix ratios of Bamboo-fibre Cement Board (B10), recorded an energy loss per cross-sectional area of 1452.0 J/m2 against gypsum board’s 1219.7J/m2. In terms of bulk density, Gypsum Board also recorded a lower bulk density than Bamboo-fibre Cement Board: 715.2 Kg/m3 for Gypsum Board and 1468 Kg/m3 for B40 - the least dense Bamboo-fibre Cement Board. The paper concludes that, if reducing dead weight is the primary target of employing partition boards in construction, then the Gypsum Board is a better alternative. However, in virtually all other performance parameters, the Bamboo-fibre Cement Board performed better (across most mix ratios) and is, therefore, more versatile.