Durability and Strength Property of Wastepaper Cement Board Reinforced with Steel Fiber

Abstract

The study investigates the development and performance Waste Paper Cement Boards (WPCBs) reinforced with 5% steel fiber as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for house ceiling materials. It evaluates the mechanical and physical properties of WPCBs, including density, water absorption, and flexural strength based on varying proportions of cement and waste paper, as well as different curing durations of 7, 14, and 28 days, following ASTM C140 and ASTM C78/C78M standard.  Three mix designs were examined: Sample 1 with 75% cement, 20% waste paper, and 5% steel fiber; Sample 2 with 47.5% cement, 47.5% waste paper, and 5% steel fiber; and Sample 3 with 20% cement, 75% waste paper, and 5% steel fiber. The results show that density increases with higher waste paper content, and water absorption is greater with higher cement content. Flexural strength is significantly affected by waste paper content and curing time, with Sample 1 achieving the highest strength of 20.37 MPa after 28 days, while Sample 3 exhibited the lowest at 9.765 MPa, representing a 40.3% decrease in strength from the 7th to the 28th curing day. The cost analysis of WPCBs revealed that they are more economical than traditional fiber cement boards, with a production cost of ₱15,261.56 compared to ₱45,956.25 for traditional FCBs. This results in a total savings of ₱30,694.69. WPCBs, with a 75% cement, 20% waste paper, and 5% steel fiber composition, offer a balance of strength, water resistance, and affordability, making them a viable and environmentally friendly construction material.