Durability and strength sustainability assessment of rockwool-bamboo reinforced ceiling boards

Abstract

It is increasingly important to explore means of reducing deforestation in our environment by sourcing alternatives for timber in the forest. Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) is known for its strength and flexibility, which makes it a popular material for construction, furniture, and other uses that are still being explored. This paper evaluated the use of bamboo for the design of ceiling boards based on the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo. We explored the use of bamboo powder, bamboo fibre, and bamboo sticks that are usually discarded during construction activities, using urea-formaldehyde as a binding agent. The bamboo ceiling boards were tested for their physical (water absorption, thickness swelling, and density) and mechanical (modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity) properties. Water absorption ranged from 41.9% to 86.4% after 2 h immersion in water and from 41.9% to 97.6% after 24hrs immersion. The modulus of rupture was 78.915 N/mm2 and the highest density was 0.424 g/cm3. Given these results, bamboo is a suitable material for the production of ceiling boards.