A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Pre-treated Coir Fibres Reinforced Biocomposite Structures for Green Wall Cultivations
Coir fibres are one of the widely available lignocellulose materials in Sri Lanka. The use of pre-treated coir fibre as reinforcement material in a biocomposite exhibits additional characteristics such as resistance to water absorption, low thermal conductivity, low density and higher elongation at the breaking point. The present study aims to prepare biocomposite structures for green wall cultivations using alkaline hydrogen peroxide pre-treated coir fibres as a reinforcement material. It is also expected to find an innovative way to develop environmental-friendly green fences and wall panels along with a suitable structure to minimize the drawbacks of existing green walls such as wash-off plant nutrients during irrigation and damages due to the cultivation of crops on walls. Four different composite mixtures were prepared with varying pre-treated coir fibre weights of 0, 20 g, 40 g and 80 g to 1.5 kg of a homogenous mixture, which was prepared by mixing earth soil, cement, cow dung ash and goat dung ash in the ratio of 6:1:1.5:1, respectively, with an addition of 7 L of water. Then, 36 blocks (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) were prepared by replicating each composite mixture three times to measure compressive strength and the percentage (%) of water absorption over the intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days after curing. In addition, making use of the growing performance of the surface of the prepared structures (wall panels and blocks) from the best composite mixture was evaluated by planting the selected crops such as Hedera helix, Rhoeo spathacea and Soleirolia species. The results indicated that fibre added biocomposite blocks show porous structure, satisfactory compressive strength that varied between 2.5 and 4.0 N/mm2 and 2–8% of water absorption after 21 days of curing. Also, growth parameters of selected crops indicate that the coir fibre reinforced sustainable wall panels are suitable for establishing vertical growing green structures.
Pre-treated Coir Fibres Reinforced Biocomposite Structures for Green Wall Cultivations
Coir fibres are one of the widely available lignocellulose materials in Sri Lanka. The use of pre-treated coir fibre as reinforcement material in a biocomposite exhibits additional characteristics such as resistance to water absorption, low thermal conductivity, low density and higher elongation at the breaking point. The present study aims to prepare biocomposite structures for green wall cultivations using alkaline hydrogen peroxide pre-treated coir fibres as a reinforcement material. It is also expected to find an innovative way to develop environmental-friendly green fences and wall panels along with a suitable structure to minimize the drawbacks of existing green walls such as wash-off plant nutrients during irrigation and damages due to the cultivation of crops on walls. Four different composite mixtures were prepared with varying pre-treated coir fibre weights of 0, 20 g, 40 g and 80 g to 1.5 kg of a homogenous mixture, which was prepared by mixing earth soil, cement, cow dung ash and goat dung ash in the ratio of 6:1:1.5:1, respectively, with an addition of 7 L of water. Then, 36 blocks (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) were prepared by replicating each composite mixture three times to measure compressive strength and the percentage (%) of water absorption over the intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days after curing. In addition, making use of the growing performance of the surface of the prepared structures (wall panels and blocks) from the best composite mixture was evaluated by planting the selected crops such as Hedera helix, Rhoeo spathacea and Soleirolia species. The results indicated that fibre added biocomposite blocks show porous structure, satisfactory compressive strength that varied between 2.5 and 4.0 N/mm2 and 2–8% of water absorption after 21 days of curing. Also, growth parameters of selected crops indicate that the coir fibre reinforced sustainable wall panels are suitable for establishing vertical growing green structures.
Pre-treated Coir Fibres Reinforced Biocomposite Structures for Green Wall Cultivations
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Dissanayake, Ranjith (editor) / Mendis, Priyan (editor) / Weerasekera, Kolita (editor) / De Silva, Sudhira (editor) / Fernando, Shiromal (editor) / Konthesingha, Chaminda (editor) / Jayasingha, K. R. (author) / Tharanga, K. H. G. P. (author) / Dayarathne, D. G. J. P. (author) / Ahamed, M. M. I. (author)
12th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management ; Chapter: 38 ; 535-547
2022-09-29
13 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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