Experimental investigation of wood fibre cement composite wall panel under axial loading

Abstract

Wood fibre cement (WFC) composite wall panels were cast and tested under axial load with 4/6 wood/cement ratio, 0.8 water/cement ratio, three chemical additives and horizontal and vertical reinforcement. Other panels with the same mix design proportion without reinforcement were also tested and compared with the commercially available WFC composite Duralite boards. An experimental result for the Duralite boards, the specimen showed quick failure with lower loading value and also with axial deformation. The WFC panel without reinforcement showed more brittle type of failure in that they were unable to sustain any more loading after reaching the maximum load. The failure for the WFC panel with reinforcement was gradual and this behaviour was attributed to the presence of steel as they act like bridges between cracks preventing sudden failure. The WFC panels without reinforcement results are higher than the theoretical value and also higher than the Duralite board panels.