Preliminary study of the Properties of Compressed Straw Slabs

Abstract

The physical and mechanical properties of compressed straw slabs were investigated. The straw slabs were produced using two types of binders: Gum Arabicand protland cement mixed in the ratio of 30% rice straw and 70% binder. A manual screw pressing machine with a maximum capacity of 0.13N/mm2 was constructed used for the pressing of the slabs. The properties of the slabs measured were Density, Moisture content, conductivity and modulus rupture (bending strength). The results obtained were compared with the data available in the standards and with the results of previous researchers. The average values obtained for the slabs using Gum Arabic and portland cement binders respectively are as follows: The average maximum and minimum values obtained were as follows: Density (p) -425.5Kg/m3 and 303.2Kg/m3; moisture content (Mc) -8.61% and 5.26%; Conductivity (K) -0.035W/MoC and 0.025W/MoC; Modulus of rupture (S) -0.33N/mm2 and 0.20N/mm2. All the samples passed the tests successfully except the misture content test. In general, the results obtained showed that rice straw is a potential material for the production of compressed straw slabs.