Effect of cellulose pulp fibres on the physical, mechanical, and thermal performance of extruded earth-based materials

Abstract Due to the growing concerns of deforestation, renewable materials as recycled cellulosic waste and non-wood fibres provide an alternative solution for partial replacement of wood resources as a reinforcement agent in building material. This study examined the effect of cellulose pulp inclusion on the physical, mechanical, and thermal performance of extruded cement stabilized earth-based matrices. Laboratory experiments of earth-based matrices reinforced with two types of fibres (bamboo pulp and recycled waste carton pulp) at varying fibre contents (0, 5, 7.5 and 10 %wt.) were performed. The results show that the inclusion of recycled waste carton pulp fibre in the soil matrix significantly improved the performance of the composites compared to matrices reinforced with bamboo pulp fibre. Addition of recycled waste carton pulp displayed improvement in flexural strength (56%), in toughness (733%), and in thermal insulation (36.35%) compared to the control sample. Inclusion of recycled waste carton pulp in earth-based matrix increases the moisture loss, the drying shrinkage and behaves as a water reservoir for earth-based materials. It has been concluded from this study that recycled waste carton pulp has the potential as a suitable reinforcement for the promotion of lightweight earthen wall block materials (reduction of bulk density up to 21% after the inclusion of 10% of recycled waste carton pulp), where flexural strength, ductility, and thermal insulation performance are the primary requirements. In addition, the successful replacement of virgin bamboo pulp fibres with recycled waste carton pulp fibres reduces the environmental footprint of the building material. Therefore, the use of this recycled waste carton pulp in the construction industry will be an attractive alternative as it will solve both energy and environmental concerns.