Development of composite panels based on fibrous materials for the manufacturing of modular housing

The present work describes the development of sandwich composite panels for application in modular housing in developing countries. Sandwich panels were developed with hybrid fibrous skins combined with polyurethane core. Different fibrous materials and structures were studied in order to achieve a sustainable solution. The analyzed fibers were jute, sisal, flax and glass fiber. In order to select the most suitable fibrous materials, mechanical performance as well as acoustic and thermal insulation behaviors were investigated. The selection of materials was based on a decision matrix that took in to account all analyzed parameters. After defining the final solution a prototype, which was a sandwiched panel with skins made of glass and jute fibres and having 2.50 m length, was produced and characterized for flexural strength and stiffness, in-plane and out-of-plane compressive strength as well as thermal and acoustic insulation performances. It was observed that glass fiber was mainly responsible for the strength and stiffness of the panel, while jute fiber contributed to the good thermal and acoustic insulation behaviors.