1. The document proposes using coir mesh to create prefabricated concrete sandwich panels for low-cost housing. 2. The concept involves sandwiching a coir composite layer between two concrete layers in roof and wall panels to take advantage of the strengths of each material. 3. The methodology discusses treating the coir fibers, testing the fiber and composite properties, casting sample panels, and testing the panels for structural and durability performance compared to conventional concrete.

1. PRE FABRICATED CONCRETEPRE FABRICATED CONCRETE
STRUCTURE USING COIR MESHSTRUCTURE USING COIR MESH
BY
G.Kathiravan

2. Scope of the StudyScope of the Study
Hence, by keeping these three considerations in mind,
{ 1. Low cost Housing,
2. Modular Housing &
3. Effective Utilisation of Agro Waste
Materials }
here an attempt is planed to develop
Bio-Composite Sandwich Concrete
Panels

3. Housing in Developing CountriesHousing in Developing Countries
Severe shortage of houses are the major
problems in developing countries like India
specially for poor people
One of the ways to give a solution for this
problem is “Low Cost Housing”
But “Low Cost Housing” needs
 Low Cost
 Energy Efficient &
 Environment-Friendly Housing
Technologies

4. Low Cost Building Materials –Low Cost Building Materials –
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
Easy to manufacture
Easy affordability
Easy Erection/commissioning
Faster & cheaper construction
Effective Waste utilization
Energy efficient and Environment friendly

5. Modular HousingModular Housing
One of the best way for “Low Cost Housing”
is Modular Housing System
Modular housing is nothing but houses built
in modules at a factory. Modules are
transported to the home site.
So it is also known as Prefabricated
Structures

6. Effective Waste UtilizationEffective Waste Utilization
Severe problem of management of agro industrial
waste in developing countries
There is a mounting pressure on non renewable
energy resources
It is happened because of Non-availability of energy
efficient technologies for converting agro industrial
waste and renewable local resources into alternative
materials

7. CONCEPT OF THE STUDY

8. Concept of the StudyConcept of the Study
Roof Panels
Concrete is strong in compression and weak in
tension. When the roof panels are subjected to
vertical loading, the upper layer is subjected to
compression and bottom layer is subjected to tension.
Hence strong concrete layer will be provided at the
top and Bio-composite layer is provided at the bottom.

9. Concept of the StudyConcept of the Study
Roof Panels (with single Composite Layer)
Fine
Concrete
Layer
30 mm
20 mm
10 mm
Bio Composite Layer

10. Concept of Study (Contd..)Concept of Study (Contd..)
Wall Panels
The wall panels are mostly subjected to vertical
compression. But some unanticipated horizontal
loadings (like wind, earthquake.. ) are also possible to
act on the walls. So, in wall panels two different
configurations will be tried. The first one is Bio
composite is sandwiched in between the two concrete
layers and the second one is concrete layer is
sandwiched in between Bio composite layers.

11. Concept of the Study (Contd..)Concept of the Study (Contd..)
Wall Panels
Concrete Layer Composite Layer

12. METHODOLOGY

13. MethodologyMethodology
Phase 1 : Surface Treatments on Natural Fibres
Alkali treatment - (NaOH treatment)
– Fibers will be soaked in 1% concentration of NaOH solution
for 3 h at room temperature. Then the fibers were washed
several times to remove any NaOH solution sticky to the fiber
surface and the fibers were oven dried at 70 C for 72 h.
Acrylic acid – (AA treatment)
– Fibers will be immersed in NaOH solution for 30 min, and
then soaked in 1% of acrylic acid (AA) solution at room
temperature for 1 h, then washing with distilled water and
dried in an oven for 72 h at the temperature of 70 C
Silane Treatment
– .Fibres will be immersed in Silane Solution (or silica fume
slurry) for 1 hr at 70 C then washing with distilled water and
dried in an oven for 24 hours at the temperature of 70 C

14. Methodology (Contd..)Methodology (Contd..)
Phase 2 : Properties of Natural Fibres
(before and after treatment)
 Physical Properties
– Dimensions, Density, Water Absorption, Tensile Strength, %
Strain at failure, modulus of elasticity
 Chemical Properties
– Lignin content, Cellulose and hemi-cellulose content
 Micro-structural Properties
– Microstructure, Pore structure, EDX
 Durability Properties
– Under constant and varying environmental load (temperature,
moisture and chemical attack)

15. Methodology (Contd..)Methodology (Contd..)
Phase 3 : Testing of Bio-Composite Panels
The casted Bio-composites panels will be taken after 28
days curing and the following tests will be carried out
a) Structural Properties:
– For Roof Panels - Flexure Test
- Impact Test
- Shear Test
– For Wall Panels - Axial Compression Test
- Eccentric Compression Test
- Combined Vertical and Horizontal loading
b) Durability Properties:
– For Both the Panels - Constant and varying environmental
loading
- Chemical attack

16. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR COIRPHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR COIR
FIBREFIBRE
Property Value
Diameter 0.48 mm
Specific Gravity 0.87
Water Absorption 104%
Density 2057 kg/m3
Elastic Modulus 2.8x103
MPa
Tensile Strength 210 MPa
Elongation at Failure 27.4%

17. POLYMER ACRYLIC
COMPOUND
PREPARATION OF COIR MESH

18. PLACING OF CONCRETE APPLYING OF BONDING
AGENT

19. PLACING OF COIR MESH PLACING OF CONCRETE

20. FINISHED SURFACEOF SANDWICH
SLAB

21. SLAB TESTING IN UTM MACHINE

22. WALL TESTING IN UTM MACHINE

23. SLAB COMPARISON
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 2 4 6
DEFLECTION (mm)
LOAD(KN)
conventional slab
sandwich slab single
layer
sandwich slab two
layer

24. WALL COMPARISON
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 5 10 15
DEFLECTION (mm)
LOAD(KN)
CONVENTIONAL
SINGLE LAYER
SANDWICH WALL
TWO LAYER
SANDWICH WALL

25. ReferencesReferences
Moshibdi Caroline Koathane, Faculty of Engineering, Tshwane
University of Technology, “The processing properties of natural
fibre reinforced higher -Olefin based thermoplastics”α
Dipi-Chem-Ulrich Riadel June 28-29, “Natural fibre-reinforced
biopolmers as construction material- New discoveries”, 2nd
International wood and natural fibre composite symposium.
Balaguru, P. (1985). Alternative reinforcing materials for less
developed countries. International Journal for Development
Technology. V. 3, 87-107
Castro, J. & Naaman, N. E. (1981). Cement mortar reinforced
with natural fibers. ACI Materials Journal. V. 78, January-
February, 69-78.