Reinforced paper beam using recyclable materials / Melchor F. Pilones. 6

Thesis (M.A.) -- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2003.;A directed study presented to the faculty of Graduate School of Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Engineering (MEng) with specialization in Structural Engineering. 56

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ABSTRACT With the growing population and ever increasing demand of housing more timber, steel, and concrete will be wasted unless we start re-thinking of our design and construction standards is residential structures. Structural design of single storey units was observed to be safe due to the minimum design requirements. Economy in design is given up when minimum requirements. Govern in the analysis. Re-using paper and tin with the proper combination to form as a composite material proved to be a very good alternative instead of timber in flooring systems. Tests show that common newspapers displayed a very similar tensile strength with tanguile while cartolinas and paperboards has greater capacities. Newspaper attained a tensile strength of 9.618MPa to 13.05MPa while tanguile had a tensile strength of 11.02MPa. Yield strength of used tin from 239.15MPa to 362MPa which was close to the yield strength of steel. Just like reinforced concrete, the proper reinforcement of paper tin showed a very much better material in comparison to actual test of coco lumber. The composite material which was termed as RPB or Reinforced Paper Beam has demonstrated a very good quality in terms of its flexural strength. A comparative theoretical analysis of tanguile and actual experimentation on similar sizes of the composite material also proved that there is indeed a very good chance that RFB will outlast timber. A ½x3x12 reinforced illustration board has a tested flexural strength capacity of 92,756.53N-mm whereas tanguile of the same size has a strength capacity of 20,982.76 N-mm. RPB was very ductile and its formability was far better than timber. Also, its ability to resist fire was another plus factor of the RPB as it was able to withstand which timber can't do over a given period of time. The study showed that the reinforced pasteboard was more effective than reinforced newspaper or reinforced cartolina because less compaction was needed for pasteboard. The cost of fabrication of the RPB was much more affordable as compared to tanguile. A 3'x4' RPB flooring model cost P458,60 as against P536.00 for tanguile flooring. The much improved version can be develop if the machine will do the compression and compaction of the RPB just like plywoods and laminated timber was manufactured. The machine production will minimize the cost of RPB to a much lower value. Considering RPB as a composite material, there are actually as many possible combination to form it into a construction material and this will open the next researchers in the field of engineering new ideas to improve the design concept like using the RPB for ceilings, roofings, wallings and other interior finishes like cabinets and tabletops, to doors and windows, to chairs and bed, etc. reinforced paper beam using recyclable materials proved that there is a bright future I waste products like paper and tin. The figure shown in the next page displays the load capacity of coco lumber and RPB using three-point test method patterned in accordance with the procedures of ASTM designation: D1037-96a. Coco lumber had a load capacity of 103N (pink line) whereas RPB had a maximum load capacity of 384N (light blue). The finished flooring system also shown in the next page was not only structurally sound but aesthetically attractive.

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