Potential of alternative fibre cements as building materials for developing areas

This project evaluated the performance of thin fibre-cement elements produced from alternative raw materials using the Hatschek process, with a view to their use in low-cost housing. Sisal and banana fibres were prepared using mechanical and kraft pulping procedures while residual Eucalyptus grandis pulp was obtained from a commercial pulp mill. Granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) was used as the major component of an alternative hydraulic binder and ordinary Portland cement as a control. Composites were prepared using a slurry vacuum de-watering process, pressing and air-curing. At fibre contents of 8-12% by mass, moduli of rupture (MOR) up to 23 MPa and fracture toughness (FT) values in the range of 0.6-1.7 kJ/m(2) were obtained at 28 days. After 12 months of exposure under temperate and tropical conditions, the MOR of the BFS-based composites had decreased to values in the range of 6.6-10.1 MPa. FT values remained stable or even increased with the weathering exposure. The results indicate that the mechanical performance of the composites being studied is currently satisfactory, but further optimisation of formulation and processing parameters should be investigated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.