Rice Hull Ceiling Board

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to develop a Rice Hull Ceiling Board. The study focused on the design and fabrication of Rice Hull Ceiling Board; determine the appropriate proportion of raw materials; evaluate the quality of the rice hull ceiling board in terms of performance, reliability, usability, and durability; and determine the significant differences among different mixture proportions of materials. The study adapted the developmental and descriptive method. To evaluate the durability, laboratory tests were conducted on drop, flexural strength, thermal resistance and water absorption. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather the information on the quality and acceptability of the products among Architects, Civil Engineers and practitioners in the construction industry. One way and two-way ANOVA, t-test and the Means were used to analyze the data gathered. For the quality on performance, reliability and usability the product was rated as very satisfactory. As to the drop testing, flexural strength, and thermal resistance the product was rated as much accepted while a rating of accepted for water absorptivity.  As to the drop, flexural strength, thermal resistance and water absorptivity testing there were no significant differences on the different properties tested among the proportions of Rice Hull Ceiling Board. Based on these findings, Rice Hull Ceiling Board can be fabricated out of Plaster of Paris which is available in local hardware and rice hull which is abundant in Bacolod City and nearby cities and municipalities. Furthermore, the Rice Hull Ceiling Board possesses physical characteristics comparable to the existing ceiling boards, therefore can substitute the traditional ceiling boards.