Manufacture of ceiling board using local materials

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>A ceiling board is a horizontal slab covering the upper section of a room or internal space. A ceiling board is generally not structural but is a shell concealing the details of the structure above. However, the ceiling might be holding up building materials such as heat or sound insulation.<br>In modern buildings, electric lights, smoke detector, security cameras and signage are commonly attached to ceilings.<br>This project however, is based on the production of ceiling board from local raw materials. These local raw materials include cement, fibre cellulose, fibre obtained from ground paper, mainly waste paper, water and some other additives.<br>There are different types of ceiling boards. These include;<br>1) Gypsum ceiling boards;<br>2) Acoustical ceiling boards;<br>3) Gypsum fibre ceiling boards;<br>4) Cement fibre-ceiling boards. Etc<br>These types of ceiling boards are grouped in accordance to the raw materials used for the production. Gypsum ceiling boards are produced from gypsum, Acoustical ceiling boards are obtained from mineral wool, gypsum and small amount of paper and starch. Gypsum fibre ceiling boards are produced from gypsum and fibre to reinforce the ceiling board.<br>This study however will be based mainly on the production of fibre cement ceiling boards. This consist essentially of an inorganic binder usually calcium silicate formed by the chemical reaction of a siliceous material and a calcareous material. This is reinforced by organic fibres, fillers and pigment compatible with the fibre reinforced cement to form a ceiling board.<br>In the past, ceiling boards were produced using Asbestos a fibre present naturally in rocks. It was used because of its high tensile strength, poor heat conductivity and high fire resistance. However, asbestos causes asbestosis, which leads to cancer. As a result of this problem, manufacturers of ceiling boards went into research to find out substitutes that can be used in the production of ceiling boards.<br>This substitute includes shredded wood, cellulose fibre agricultural waste etc.<br>Rather than industrial products (glass-fibre, iron fillings) and man-made<br>materials, the fibres best suited to the socio-economic circumstances of developing countries are natural fibres.<br>This project therefore, is based on how these natural fibres can be used in the production of ceiling boards in order to reduce cost and as well comparing the product with that which has been produced naturally.<br><strong>1.1 AIMS AND OOBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT</strong><br>1. To study the possibility of making use of local raw materials for the production of ceiling board.<br>2. To produce a board with good acoustic and thermal insulating properties.<br>3. To produce a board with reduced cost to discourage importation there by saving Nigeria her foreign exchange and booting her economic status.<br>4. To reduce environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate litering of papers and the pollution of the air resulting from burning these waste.</p> <br><p></p>