Axial Compression Behaviour of Wallettes Constructed Using Wood-Wool Cement Composite Panel

Abstract

This paper reports on the investigation of the structural behavior of wallettes made from wood-wool cement composite panel (WWCP). Initially, a series of experimental test were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of WWCP namely density, bending properties (MOR and MOE), compressive strength and tensile strength for two thicknesses of WWCP (50 mm and 100 mm). Then, the axial compression capacity of WWCP was investigated using wallettes. In the fabrication of wallettes, there are two types of panel arrangement considered and denoted as W1 and W2. For W1, 100 mm thick WWCP was used and cut into size of 300 mm width and 600 mm length. The cut panels were then stacked vertically (two layer) in running bond pattern to form a 600 mm x 600 mm wallettes. The top and bottom panels were connected together with 10 mm thick mortar paste and three vertical steel bars were inserted between panels. In addition to this, an enhancement has been made by fixed two U-Nail at the connection area on each side of wallettes. For W2, a new panel arrangement technique has been proposed by integrating two layers of 50 mm thickness of WWCP (cut into size of 300 mm width and 600 mm length) with different orientation of panel arrangement to form a 600 mm x 600 mm wallettes. The front side of the panels has been arranged in the longitudinal direction, whereas back side in transverse direction. The front and back side panels were bonded together using either adhesive or mortar mix with different thicknesses to form approximately 100 mm (± 15 mm) thick wall. For mechanical properties of WWCP, it was found that, the strength properties of the panel decreases with the increased in panel thickness. For the axial compression test of wallettes, the results showed that, a new proposed of panel arrangement technique with mortar mix significantly improved the stability as well as increased load carrying capacity of wallettes.