Chapter 3

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design and the methodology which will discuss

the sequence of the experiment, the essential materials and the necessary equipment to be

used in conducting this study.

Research Design

In this study, the researcher adopts an experimental method. The experiment

serves as a test for the cement board specimens’ flexural and tensile strengths. There are

5 varying mix ratios with 3 replications each. The ratios are cement: polyethylene

terephthalate flakes: powdered soda-lime glasses. The mix ratios are as follows: Mix ratio

A- 1: 0.75: 0.75; Mix ratio B- 1: 1: 0.50; Mix ratio C- 1: 0.50: 1; Mix ratio D- 1: 1.25:

0.25; Mix ratio E- 1: 0.25: 1.25. Water Cement ratio for all mixes will be similar ranging

from 0.40- 0.80.

In this study, the experimental factors are the PET flakes and the SLG powder.

Cement boards with PET and SLG are the experimental group and the tensile strengths of

commercially available cement boards as the bases for comparison. After the 28-day

curing period of the experimental groups or specimens, the group’s tensile and flexural

strength will be evaluated using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The excess or the

deficit in the mechanical properties of the specimens over the normal or required

mechanical properties is attributed to the PET flakes and SLG powder.


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 27

Fabricated Cement Board Specimens with PET and SLG

LOCALE OF THE STUDY


NDDU Engineering Laboratory Universal Testing Machine (UTM)

DATA GATHERING
Tensile and Flexural Strength Tests of the Cement
Board with PET and SLG

DATA ANALYSIS
Comparison between the tensile and flexural strengths of Cement
Board with PET and SLG and the commercially available
cement boards.

Acceptability of Cement Boards with PET


and SLG

Figure 6. Research Design

Figure 6 presents the ordered structure of the research design and the

methodology of the study. The production and testing of the specimens will be conducted

at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Engineering Laboratory. Cement board with

PET and SLG specimens are fabricated first. They will be cured for 28 days. The group

will be tested using the UTM. The results of the testing will be used for the data analysis.
Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 28

In the data analysis the flexural and tensile strengths of the cement board specimens will

be compared with the commercially available cement boards. These data will determine

the acceptability of the cement board with PET and SLG.

Research Locale

The study will be conducted at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU)

Engineering Laboratory at Marist Avenue, General Santos City. The fabrication of

specimens, curing, and testing will be conducted within the premises of the laboratory.

NDDU is a Catholic Institution run by the Marist Brothers (FMS, Fratres Maristae

Scholis). It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and

graduate courses. NDDU is the only private university in the city of General Santos, and

has three campuses – the main campus along Marist Avenue, the Notre Dame of

Dadiangas University – Integrated Basic education Department Lagao Campus, and the

NDDU-IBED Espina Campus.

NDDU was granted “University Status” on June 26, 2006 under the CHED

Memorandum Order No. 48, and the school is the only level 4 PAASCU (Philippine

Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities) Accredited University in

GenSan. In addition, NDDU has been granted an Autonomous Status and has maintained

its level 3 in PAASCU Center of Development for Excellence in Civil Engineering

(CODE-CE) for Region XII.


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 29

Methodology

This study develops and investigates the effect of the PET and SLG in the

Cement Boards strengths. The tensile strength of a cement board with PET and SLG

parallel and perpendicular to the surface and the flexural strength faced up and faced

down will also be determined. The following procedures will be followed (1) Fabrication

of Cement board Molders (2) Preparation of the aggregates (3) Fabrication of Cement

Boards with varying PET and SLG ratios (4) curing of the cement board specimens (5)

the actual testing of tensile and flexural strength of the cement board specimens.

The results will be analyzed to determine the acceptability of cement boards with

PET and SLG to be used as an alternative construction material base on the tensile and

flexural strength test results. The Universal Testing Machine (UTM) of NDDU will be

used to test the specimens.

The essential materials and equipment that will be used in the conduct of the

experiment are:

Cement board molder Permanent writing pens

Clean water PET flakes

Hammer Portland cement

Hooks Ruler

Mortar and pestle Scissors

No. 4 sieve (4.75 mm opening) SLG powder

No. 30 sieve (0.060 mm opening) Trowel

Universal Testing Machine


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 30

Data Gathering Procedures

3.1. Fabrication of Cement Board molders

There will be six cement board molders for the tensile test and six cement board

molders for the flexural test. The molders will be fabricated to form the specimens as

specified in figure 7 and figure 8. After the molders will be fabricated, the volume of the

molders will be recorded.

3.2. Preparation of the aggregates

The cement powder shall pass through the No. 30 sieve and set aside. SLG will be

crushed and will be turned into powder using the mortar and pestle. It shall also pass

through the No. 30 sieve. The PET bottles will be cut into flakes using the scissors. The

flakes shall pass through the No. 4 sieve.

3.3. Fabrication of Cement boards with varying PET and SLG ratios.

3.3.1. There will be eight fabrications of cement board specimens for each Mix ratio:

Four (4) for the tensile test and Four (4) for the flexural test. The amount of

cement, PET and SLG in kilograms will be based on the mix ratios: Mix ratio

A- 1: 0.75: 0.75; Mix ratio B- 1: 1: 0.50; Mix ratio C- 1: 0.50: 1; Mix ratio D-

1: 1.25: 0.25; Mix ratio E- 1: 0.25: 1.25.

3.3.2. Use a 0.4-8.0 water cement ratio. Mix the following components: PET flakes,

SLG powder, Cement, and water according to the stated mix ratios using a

trowel.

3.3.3. The mixtures will be poured on the cement board molders with the dimensions

in accordance with figure 1, 2 and 3.


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 31

3.4. Curing of the Cement boards

After the 40 samples will be fabricated, they will be soaked in water for 28 days.

After the 28 day period, the samples will be pulled out from the water.

3.5. Testing of the Specimens.

After the samples will be cured, they will be tested using the UTM. The

researchers will use the ASTM C 209 and the ASTM C 473.

3.5.1. Tensile Strength (Perpendicular to surface) Test (ASTM C 209- Standard

Test Method for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board)

a) Forty (40) test wood blocks, 51 x 51 x 32 mm will be made and supplied

with hooks at the center. (see figure 7)

Figure 7. Specimen tension test (parallel to surface)

b) Two surfaces of the prepared specimens, 51 x 51 mm with 12.7mm thick

will be cemented will be cemented to the test wood blocks with suitable

adhesive.
Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 32

c) A load will be applied at a rate of 51± 6 mm/min at the hooks until

separation occurs.

d) Tensile strengths perpendicular to the surface will be determined from the

load in kPa at the time of failure of the specimens.

3.5.2. Tensile strength test (Parallel to surface) Test (ASTM C 209- Standard Test

Method for Cellulosic Fiber Insulating Board)

a) Specimens will be prepared according to the ASTM specifications (see

figure 8).

Figure 8. Specimen tension test (perpendicular to surface)

b) The testing machine will set to a rate of separation of the jaws of 2 ± ¼ in

per min (51± 6 mm/min) and the specimens in the jaws will be clamped at

a minimum distance of 6 in (152 mm) apart.

c) The tensile strength in kPa will be noted.


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 33

3.5.3. Flexural Strength Test- Method B (ASTM C 473- Standard Test Method for

Physical testing of Gypsum panel products.

a) The specimen will be supported near the ends and a transverse load will be

applied midway between the supports.

b) The specimen’s supports will have a space of 356 ± 0.41 mm on centers

measured at the points of surface contact with the specimen.

c) The prepared specimens, 305 mm x 406 mm x 12.7mm will be tested

faced up and faced down.

d) The load will be determined at the time of transverse failure through the

thickness of the specimens.

Data Analysis

After testing all the specimens, the researchers will analyze the results of the

specimens’ tensile and flexural strengths. The data will be compared with the tensile and

flexural strengths of commercially available cement boards. From there, conclusions will

be made for the acceptability of PET and SLG as reinforcing fibers and fillers in a cement

boards. Table 1, 2, and 3will show the number of specimens to be fabricated.


Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 34

Table 1.

Number of Specimens
Number of
Ratio
Specimen
A 2
B 2
C 2
TOTAL 6

Table 2.

Number of Specimens
Number of
Ratio
Specimen
A 2
B 2
C 2
TOTAL 6

Table 3.

Number of Specimens
Number of
Ratio
Specimen
A 4
B 4
C 4
TOTAL 12
Cement Boards w/ PET and SLG 35

The Table 1 shows the varying mix ratios and number of cement board specimens

for tensile test: perpendicular to surface. The Table 2 shows the varying mix ratios and

number of cement board specimens for tensile test: parallel to surface. The Table 3 shows

the varying mix ratios and number of cement board specimens for flexural test: faced up

and faced down.

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