Sustainable Alternative Ceiling Boards Using Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Balanite Shell (BS)

Simon Ikechukwu Ichetaonye,Abeer Mohamed Alosaimi,Sarah Bill Ulaeto,Anish Khan,Moses Ebiowei Yibowei,Kingsley Kema Ajekwene,Mahmoud Ali Hussein

doi:10.1007/s10924-021-02156-9

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study to investigate sustainable alternative ceiling boards using PKS and BS. The ceiling boards were prepared by mixing BS/binder, PKS/binder, and PKS/BS/binder at different ratios of 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, and 80/20 and represented as samples (A1, A2, A3 and A4), (B1, B2, B3 and B4), and (C1, C2, C3 and C4) respectively. The samples were cast by flat press process in rectangular sheet shape mould of 187 mm × 125 mm × 3 mm, cut into specimen sizes of 30 mm × 40 mm then tested for dry shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, bulk density, flaking, and hardness properties. The morphology of the samples was examined using SEM. Results of the analysis show that irrespective of the filler loadings the properties of PKS / binder particularly at 20/80 ratio ‘‘B1” displayed better dry shrinkage of 3.7%; water absorption of 12.4%; apparent porosity of 15%; bulk density of 2.3 g/cm3; flaking of 0.05 g and hardness of 57.6 Hv which approximates those of the conventional specimen with better physical properties compared to BS/binder at 20/80 ratio ‘‘A1” and PKS/BS/binder at 20/80 ratio ‘‘C1”. These results, therefore, suggest that PKS at 20/80 ratio with improved strength could be used as a sustainable alternative in the production of ceiling boards.

Highlights

A ceiling board is a building material required for ceiling systems in commercial structures, residential, and institutional buildings
The significance of this study is to explore the potential of using Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Balanite shell as a sustainable alternative filler for the production of ceiling boards
This is probably due to the increased closure of internal pores which ensures that there is reduced space for water to percolate through the specimen

Summary

Introduction

A ceiling board is a building material required for ceiling systems in commercial structures, residential, and institutional buildings. When joints and faster heads are covered with a joint treatment system, its design provides a monolithic surface (Madu, Nwankwojike, and Ani 2018). It is not considered a structural element but a finished surface concealing the underside of the roof structure of a building which reduces heat and solid transmission and sound in the house(Oladele et al 2009). The need for shelter and structural accessories such as ceiling sheets is in high demand. Studies have shown that Nigeria and other developing countries make use of asbestos and Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) in buildings for covering the upper layer of the internal sections(Ohijeagbon 2014)

Methods

Results

Conclusion