Inorganic-bonded composite wood panel systems for low-cost housing: a Central American perspective

The Central American region of the world has an acute housing shortage. Given the practical financial constraints that exist in this area, the solution to this ever-expanding housing problem lies in the development of low-cost building materials that are able to satisfy the many production, construc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest products journal 1998-04, Vol.48 (4), p.62-68
Main Authors: Ramirez-Coretti, A. (Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.), Eckelman, C.A, Wolfe, R.W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affordable housing
AMERICA CENTRAL
AMERIQUE CENTRALE
Applied sciences
Building materials
Buildings. Public works
CEMENT
CEMENTO
CENTRAL AMERICA
CIMENT
COMPOSITE BOARD
Composite materials
CONCEPTION
Concrete construction
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
DESIGN
DISENO
Earthquakes
Exact sciences and technology
Forest products industry
HOUSING
Housing needs
LOGEMENT
Low income groups
Masonry
MATERIALES DE CONSTRUCCION
Materials
MATERIAU DE CONSTRUCTION
PANNEAU COMPOSITE
Reinforced concrete
Seismic engineering
Studies
TABLEROS COMPUESTOS
Timber
VIVIENDA
Wood
Wood composites
Wood products
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The Central American region of the world has an acute housing shortage. Given the practical financial constraints that exist in this area, the solution to this ever-expanding housing problem lies in the development of low-cost building materials that are able to satisfy the many production, construction, economic, cultural, safety, and health requirements imposed by the natural barriers, lack of infrastructure, and lack of community services in this region. Composite wood-cement panels made from a mix of wood strands, chips or fibers, and cement appear to have the potential to satisfy these requirements. Specifically, they lend themselves to modular construction, satisfy the cultural preference for cement-based materials in the tropics, satisfy health and safety needs, provide resistance to attack by decay and fungi, and provide protection against combustion. To provide essential background information concerning the use of these materials, a preliminary study was conducted to assess some of the technical requirements for a wider use of inorganic-bonded composite wood panel systems in the Central American area. This article provides a general description of the Central American area and of its housing needs. Some experiences with the use of cement-bonded wood composites are described, along with material strength requirements, house design, and other considerations relative to the potential use of these materials to solve the endemic housing problem of this region of the world
ISSN:0015-7473
2376-9637