Design And Production Of Ceiling Board Using Plaster Of Paris (pop) Gypsum Material

CHAPTER THREE
3.0    METHODOLOGY
3.1    PROCUREMENT OF THE MATERIALS
        The materials procured for the project is plaster of Paris (POP), fiber (villas), water and mould.
    The materials used were sourced from the following:-
•    A local commercial POP material dealer located opposite General Hospital, Ilorin.
•    The mould used was sourced from Lukman P.O.P store at Alapata, Eruda, Ilorin.
•    Water supply was source from Civil Engineering Department Laboratory.
3.2    EQUIPMENT USED FOR THE PROJECT ARE :-
    Scrapper
    Measuring tape
    Mixing bowl
    Bucket
    Ranges
3.3    PREPARATION OF MOULD
The mould (form work) used is a ready made material with dimension 62mm x 62mm x 3mm.
 
3.4    PREPARATION OF SEPERATOR
The separator is a mixture of soap and groundnut oil. It is apply to the mould for easy removal of the sample from the mould.
3.5    MIXING OF THE AGGREGATE
    Mixing is the process of thoroughly combining different materials to produce a homogeneous product. In this case water and P.O.P plaster are mixed to form a mortar with mix proportion 1 litre of water to 1kg of P.O.P plaster mixed vigorously to form a homogeneous mixture.
3.6    CASTING
        The following steps backup the casting of POP ceiling board:-
      Firstly the container (mixing bowl) that the mortar was prepared was cleaned.
      Water was poured into the container (mixing bowl) and Plaster of Paris (POP) sprinkled.
      Approximately 2 minutes was waited for absorption.
    Then the mortar was mixed with hand and shaked vigorously to obtain a fully homogeneous mixture.
     The mortar was poured on the mould and sprayed to ensure it cover all the surface of the mould and fibre was added which serves as reinforcement.
    Similar mortar was prepared and poured on it and it was ensured that it covered all the surface as well.
    Finally, the sample was left for 3 - 4 minutes to set.
3.7    DEMOULDING
    Demoulding (The removal of the ceiling board from the mould) was done with the use of a special technique after the final setting. The  setting period is very important and must be adversely followed to avoid breakages.
3.8    WATER ABSORPTION TEST
    Water absorption test was carried out on the sample to determine the water absorption capabilities. This test becomes pertinent to measure its response to water leakages from the roof after or during downpour. Three sample was weighed and then immersed in water for an hour, thereafter they were removed from the water and re-weighed. The obtained data were recorded against each mass fraction and the mean obtained.