Abstract
In wood wool cement composites, the influence of natural fibres is the main factor leading to the instability of the final product. During the manufacture, small variations in wood properties result in inhomogeneous density and strength of the boards. Among the accountable factors, the hygroscopic behaviour of the wood can deeply affect the cement hydration. However, the competitive water absorption mechanism between wood strands and cement is not fully understood. This paper will address the absorption behaviour of wood wool strands in combination with cement. A model for calculating the water to binder ratio of the paste in presence of wood is proposed and validated by NMR and isothermal calorimetry. Finally, the mechanical performances of the composites are tested for different water amounts, verifying the proposed model and defining the conditions for the optimal bending strength.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 522-530 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Construction and Building Materials |
Volume | 166 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Mar 2018 |
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by STW (Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen), the Netherlands, under the project number 10013077, with the title: “Development of sustainable and functionalized inorganic binder-biofiber composites”. Moreover, for equipment support, the authors would like to acknowledge ESEM and BET in the group of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Chemical Reactor Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology. Furthermore, the authors wish to express their gratitude to Guillaume Doudart de la Gree for the valuable discussions, concerning the wood-binder dynamics. Finally, the following sponsors of the Building Materials research group at TU Eindhoven: Rijkswaterstaat Grote Projecten en Onderhoud; Graniet-Import Benelux; Kijlstra Betonmortel; Struyk Verwo; Attero; Enci; Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta-District Noord; Van Gansewinkel Minerals; BTE; V.d. Bosch Beton; Selor; GMB; Geochem Research; Icopal; BN International; Eltomation; Knauf Gips; Hess AAC Systems; Kronos; Joma; CRH Europe Sustainable Concrete Centre; Cement & Beton Centrum; Heros and Inashco; Keim; Sirius International; Boskalis; ENERGY; Millvision and Sappi (in chronological order of joining).
Keywords
- Analytical modelling
- Fibre/matrix bond
- Hygroscopic behaviour
- Mechanical testing
- Wood wool strands