Article Sidebar
Published:
Dec 31, 2014Keywords:
Article Details
Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (Tanz. J. Engrg. Technol.) publications are written as a basis for academic discussions. Whereas effort is made by the Editorial Board to screen out inaccurate or misleading statements, data or opinions, Tanz. J. Engrg. Technol. wishes to make it clear that the contents of the articles are the sole responsibility of the authors. Accordingly, the Editorial Board and editors, publisher, College of Engineering and Technology and the University of Dar es Salaam accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the opinions, inaccurate or misleading data or statement and views expressed by the authors.
However, the College of Engineering and Technology, the publisher of the Journal, reserve all rights of the articles published in the Journal. Whereas the contents of the articles are available electronically without cost, no part of the publication may be transmitted in any form or reproduced electronically or mechanically, except for short extract in critical scholarly review, research or discourse with an acknowledgement.
Main Article Content
Properties of Boards Made from Rice Husk and Portland cement As Binders and Reinforced with Sisal Fibres
Abstract
A research study demonstrated that rice husks can be used to manufacture boards which
can be used in low cost housing if bound by Portland limestone cement (CEM II/A-L/
32.5R) and reinforced with sisal fibers to cater for their brittle behavior and that such
boards can provide a substitute for wood panels. Boards made of rice husks and cement in
the ratios of 1/3.3, 1/ 3.6 and 1/4 and with sisal fiber reinforcement contents of 0%, 0.4%,
0.5% and 0.8% were prepared and tested for their physical and mechanical properties. The
results were compared with standard requirements for boards made with wood based fiber
and particle panel materials according to DIN 1101 and ISO 2696 and BS EN 634-2.
Results indicate that water absorption and thickness swelling decreased with an increase in
fiber content and that there is an optimum rice husk/ cement ratio and fiber content that
gives maximum flexural strength and that such boards could be used in low cost housing
construction. The use of such boards could be seen as partially solving the problem of
global warming and the problem of pollution associated with the disposal of rice husks in
developing countries.
