1.1 Introduction
A ceiling is an overhead interior surface that covers the upper limits of a room. It is not generally considered a structural element, but a finished surface concealing the underside of the roof structure or the floor of a story above. Ceilings can be decorated to taste, and there are many fine examples of frescoes and artwork on ceilings especially in religious buildings. The most common type of ceiling is the dropped ceiling, which is suspended from structural elements above. Panels of drywall are fastened either directly to the ceiling joists or to a few layers of moisture-proof plywood which are then attached to the joists. Pipe work or ducts can be run in the gap above the ceiling, and insulation and fireproofing material can be placed here.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
A ceiling board is a horizontal slab covering the upper section of a room or internal space. A ceiling board is generally not structural but is a shell concealing the details of the structure above. However, the ceiling might be holding up building materials such as heat or sound insulation.
In modern buildings, electric lights, smoke detector, security cameras and signage are commonly attached to ceilings.
This project however, is based on the production of ceiling board from local raw materials. These local raw materials include cement, fibre cellulose, fibre obtained from ground paper, mainly waste paper, water and some other additives.
There are different types of ceiling boards. These include;
- Gypsum ceiling boards;
- Acoustical ceiling boards;
- Gypsum fibre ceiling boards;
- Cement fibre-ceiling boards. Etc
These types of ceiling boards are grouped in accordance to the raw materials used for the production. Gypsum ceiling boards are produced from gypsum, Acoustical ceiling boards are obtained from mineral wool, gypsum and small amount of paper and starch. Gypsum fibre ceiling boards are produced from gypsum and fibre to reinforce the ceiling board.
This study however will be based mainly on the production of fibre cement ceiling boards. This consist essentially of an inorganic binder usually calcium silicate formed by the chemical reaction of a siliceous material and a calcareous material. This is reinforced by organic fibres, fillers and pigment compatible with the fibre reinforced cement to form a ceiling board.
In the past, ceiling boards were produced using Asbestos a fibre present naturally in rocks. It was used because of its high tensile strength, poor heat conductivity and high fire resistance. However, asbestos causes asbestosis, which leads to cancer. As a result of this problem, manufacturers of ceiling boards went into research to find out substitutes that can be used in the production of ceiling boards. This substitute includes shredded wood, cellulose fibre agricultural waste etc. Rather than industrial products (glass-fibre, iron fillings) and man-madematerials, the fibres best suited to the socio-economic circumstances of developing countries are natural fibres.
Ceiling boards are required in houses to reduce sound and heat and they give additional aesthetics. A ceiling with its upper surface highly reflective, having a good heat insulation and low thermal capacityis recommended in hot climates. As a performance standard, it is recommended that thermal conductivity of ceiling boards should be within 0.50-0.15 W/mK. All types of asbestos fibers are known to cause serious health hazards to humans. Amosite and crocidolite are considered the most hazardous asbestos fiber types; however, chrysotile asbestos has also produced tumors in animals and is a recognized cause of asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma in humans, and mesothelioma has been observed in people who were occupationally exposed to chrysotile, family members of the occupationally exposed, and residents who lived close to asbestos factories and mines. Asbestos ceiling boards are fragile, pose health risks and relatively costly. Therefore, there is a compelling need to produce alternative products that are cheap, using local organic materials that could pose little or no health hazards.
This research work therefore, is based on how these natural fibres can be used in the production of ceiling boards in order to reduce cost and as well comparing the product with that which has been produced naturally.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed the challenge of the existing research which entails that there is health threat of the existing production material, which is asbestos that is known to be cancerous. This research intends to see if local materials (Rice husk, cassava starch, epoxy resin and hardener) are effective additives for ceiling board.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Manufacturing process of Ceiling Board using Local Materials. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To study the possibility of making use of local raw materials for the production of ceiling board.
- To produce a board with good acoustic and thermal insulating properties.
- To produce a board with reduced cost to discourage importation there by saving Nigeria her foreign exchange and booting her economic status.
- To reduce environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate littering of papers and the pollution of the air resulting from burning these waste.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there significant differences on flexural strength between the waste paper ceiling board among without and with Rice husk, cassava starch, epoxy resin and hardener?
1.6 Significance of Study
The present study will be beneficial to the following:
To the Environment: This study will lessen the amount of trees being cut for the production of wood ceiling board. It will offer a viable solution to problems caused by waste water lilies and paper.
To the Community: It will offer potential income to people who will venture out making ceiling boards.
To the Students: This study will increase the knowledge of students regarding on practicing the 3R’s namely reduce, reuse, and recycle. It will likewise increase their scientific skills.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Manufacturing process of Ceiling Board using Local Materials.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.9 Organization of the study
The study is organized into five chapters; Chapter one deals with the study’s introduction and gives a background to the study. Chapter two reviews related and relevant literature. The chapter three gives the research methodology while the chapter four gives the study’s analysis and interpretation of data. The study concludes with chapter five which deals on the summary, conclusion and recommendation.
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