Authors:

Bryn R Goldstein

Date Created:

Not specified

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About Paper:

The challenge with current construction methodologies is their intense carbon emissions. Concrete, the world's second most used resource, is highly carbon-intensive due to the release of carbon dioxide in the cement manufacturing process. The 2" by 4" Dimensional lumber, a commonly used construction material, is also not carbon negative because of the eventual decay by biodegradation. By incorporating wood fibers in a compression-molded composite with cement, a new material is fabricated that is expected to be resistant to microbial decay and resistant to fire. This work focuses on the variation of wood content in the composite and its effects on the flexural strength of the composite. Volume percent of 25, 50, and 75 of wood were incorporated in the composite and aged for 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days. The wood-cement composites were cast on a hydraulic press and mechanical testing performed by three-point bending. Most cementitious composites undergo brittle failure, whereas high wood content composites undergo ductile failure. Ductile failure is preferred for construction materials since the material will not fail catastrophically so can be used in construction for safer buildings. This work also involves studying compression molding dynamics by understanding the duration of time needed for compression molding at a variety pressures. Overall, it was found that high casting pressure composites take more time for molding. Keywords: [no keywords provided]

Source:

Purdue University / 2025

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Co-authors:

Bryn R Goldstein