Papercrete

Papercrete is a building material that consists of re-pulped paper fiber with Portland cement or clay and/or other soil added, the ratio is 60% paper, 20% sand, 20% cement, all three elements are mixed in a mixer or tow mixer.

It can be used as plaster, drilled, hammered, and infill between poles, recently some people made mixtures without cement and prepared fidobe of paper adobe

 Here we will learn about Papercrete, Advantages & Disadvantages of Papercrete.

Introduction to PaperCrete:

Papercrete is basically a type of industrial-strength paper discovered by Eric Patterson and Mike McCain.

This type of material is considered as environmentally friendly material.

Properties of Papercrete:

• Papercrete was dimensionally very stable both through the process of taking in moisture and drying out in a wide range of temperatures.
• Also, it will hold fasteners to some extent, especially screws without cracking.
• It does not support flames but if it catches fire will keep on burning for several days.
• The more cement and mineral material added to the mixture, the more fireproof it becomes.
• It resists rodent and insect infections.
• If it remains hot and moist for too long, it will support molds.

Advantages of Paper Crete:

1. The equipment used is relatively low-tech and cheap.
2. Papercrete has a compressive strength of 0.99–1.12 MPa.
3. It has excellent heat and sound insulating properties.
4. The papercrete is lightweight and can be used to make inexpensive roofing options.
5. Paper-Crete is very useful and it can be made easily in various sizes such as blocks, panels, and sheets.
6. It does not easily catch fire but catches smugglers for hours.
7. They are dimensionally very stable.
8. The more cement and mineral content used, the more fireproof it becomes.
9. It is recycling paper waste.
10. Also, reduces the amount of concrete in construction.
11. The lightweight construction material is safe and easy to work with the body
12. It is an easy learning technique.
13. It lends to curvy, artistic expression.
14. Also, suitable for hot/dry climate.

Disadvantages of PaperCrete:

1. It cannot be used on doors and windows without some additional support, either wood or conventional concrete.
2. It absorbs water so it should be protected from water during the rainy season.
3. Raw materials are very expensive and not freely available.
4. It resists rodent and insect infections.
5. The R-value is about 2.0 and 3.0 per inch.

Applications of Papercrete:

• They are extensively used in home construction.
• In addition, sound and heat are used as insulators.
• Their various shapes to decorate houses, flower pots.
• A large number of shapes that generate a large area of construction.
• As it is lightweight it can be used in various applications.

Also read: Ferrocrete, GFRG Panels & Geosynthetics

Conclusion:

Papercrete houses can be built with all the conveniences for 20-0% compared to traditional dwellings as preparation and installation of papercretes does not require significant capital or much additional training.

New or existing small construction enterprises can add papercrete to their businesses for very little extra money or time, however, we can hazard for recommended standards, which will undoubtedly be established in the future.