CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND

Need for better housing is one of the main concerns of many developing countries. Better
infrastructure indicates improved quality of living. People migrate in search of financial
stability and better living atmosphere. So construction process takes place at each and
every corner of the state. Estimated urban housing shortage in 2012 is 26.53 million,
while the housing shortage of rural India in 2012 is 42 million units. Thus total estimated
housing shortage for Urban & rural India in 2012 is 68.53 million units. [8]. Society is in
need of quick phase construction techniques which are not only sustainable but
financially promising too. Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum is one of such recent
advancement which promises all the above qualities to developing India. Glass Fibre
Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) walls, also known as Rapid wall in the constructed dwelling
industry, are new building materials firstly manufactured in Australia in the early 1990s
[7]. Discovering such a unique way to construction needs can provide safe, strong and
quality housing in quick time for urban sites. But places where transportation facility is
still underdeveloped, such innovation seems no use. Hence to increase the area of
application of GFRG, cast-in-situ techniques can be used.
Since precast wall panels are used till now, concept of casting GFRG walls in the site are
not dealt with. Transporting large panels to rural areas are high priced and also induce
cracking in the panel. So transporting the mix to the site and casting the walls as similar
to cast-in-situ of concrete can reduce the above constrain.
This paper mainly concentrates on achieving the minimum strength of GFRG without
heating and cooling the panels as done in precast factories, which can save LPG, cost and
utilizes the natural sunlight for drying. The compressive strength thus obtained can be
compared with normal concrete and first class brick.
1.2 GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED GYPSUM TECHNOLOGY

Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) Panel known as Rapidwall is one of the leading
invention in construction industry where panels are made-up of calcined gypsum plaster,
reinforced with glass fibres. The panel was originally developed by GFRG Building
System Australia and used since 1990 in Australia for mass scale building construction
[1].In India main production unit are at Mumbai and Ernakulam. There the panels are
usually manufactured at a thickness of 124mm under carefully controlled conditions to a
length of 12m and height of 3m, contains cavities that may be unfilled, partially filled or
fully filled with reinforced concrete as per structural requirement. Experimental research
in GFRG panels shows that suitably filled plain reinforced concrete possesses substantial
strength to act not only as load bearing elements but also as shear wall, capable of
resisting lateral loads.

Fig 1.1:GFRG panel

This technology makes use of industrial waste gypsum with much less cement, sand, steel
and water than conventional building. Thus it consumes less embodied energy and less
carbon footprint. The GFRG Panel is manufactured in semi-automatic plant using slurry
of calcined gypsum plaster mixed with certain chemicals including water repellent
emulsion and glass fibre rovings, cut, spread and imbedded uniformly into the slurry with

2
the help of screen roller. The panels are dried at a temperature of 275oC before shifting to
storage area or the cutting table. The wall panels can be cut as per dimensions &
requirements of the building. It does not need any plastering.
The GFRG panels are transported from factory to site, generally through trucks or
trailers. The panels are kept in a vertical position using “stillages” so as to avoid any
damage during transportation. The panels after reaching the site are taken out from trucks
using cranes. Forklifts can be used for easier movement of panels from one area to
another.

Fig 1.2: Cracks in panels

It is an integrated composite building system using factory made prefabricated load

bearing wall panels & monolithic cast-in situ reinforced concrete in filled for walling &
floor/roof slab, suitable for low rise to medium rise building.
Detailed design Guidelines are given in “Use of Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG)
Panels in Buildings -Structural Design Manual” prepared by IIT Madras and published by
BMTPC. It may be obtained on request from BMTPC [11].

Few Building Constructed in India are:

 Residential buildings at Udipti Karnataka owner Mr. Satish Rao, built by HarshaPvt.
Ltd., Udipi,Bangalore.

3
 Utility Building for Konark Railways at Madgao, South Goa, built by HarshaPvt.
Ltd., Udipti, Bangalore.
 Residential building at Udipti by HarshaPvt. Ltd.
 3 storey residential building at Calicut by NMS Rapidwall Construction Company,
Calicut (2014).
 Two storeyed building at IIT Madras.
 Residential building at RCF Mumbai.
 Model house at Cochin.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main objective of this project is to minimize or overcome the problem which is faced
in the manufacturing of GFRG panel and also in the fabrication and erection process.
Other objectives are,

 Simplicity in construction process

 Should be economical and cost effective
 Transportation and maintenance cost should be low

4
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 GENERAL

Gypsum plaster is strong in compression but weak in tensile properties. Glass fibres are
used to reinforce the Gypsum plaster matrix and produce a strong composite material
having improved tensile and impact properties. The literature study was performed to
understand GFRG and its properties.

2.2 REVIEW OF RESEARCH WORKS

Sajo Francis presents a brief description about the gypsum and its properties. The
chemistry behind the transformation of natural gypsum to hemi-hydrate gypsum and the
reinforcement with the glass fibre is also included in this paper. The manufacturing
process of gypwall and process modeling are well explained. Building Material
Technology promotion council (BMTPC) of India has certified the product and extensive
research is conducted at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. It is concluded that
the Green building materials and fast construction methods are the only solution to
provide affordable mass housing in India by protecting the environment. BMTPC has
identified GFRG technology as one of the potential technologies for providing safe,
strong and quality housing in quick time.[1]

K.Alagusankareswari et.al describes the experimental investigation of the GFRG panel.

Various experiments were conducted on the physical and mechanical characteristic of
GFRG empty panel. Measurement of water content, water absorption rate, vertical load
bearing capacity and flexural strength of the empty panel were carried out. From the
result, the compressive strength was noted. This paper concludes with the physical and
mechanical properties with the strength of the empty panel.[2]

Sk. Subhan Alisha et.al explained the importance and need of low cost housing. They
did a detailed case study of comparison between the conventional building and GFRG
panel building in the two main aspects- Cost and Time. For this, a Panchayat building in

5
the Kotha Navarasapuram Village which was constructed by a Kerala based company
SHEGHRAM NIRMANPVT LTD, Kerala was choosed. They observed the construction
procedures and techniques used for GFRG panels construction, complete cost and
estimation of building, relevant procedures used for panel manufacturing, analysis and
duration of the every element of building. GFRG panel details, its properties and tests on
the GFRG panels were discussed in this paper. [3]

P. Padevět et.al presents time dependent changes of mechanical properties (Young’s

Modulus, strength and creep) of grey calcined gypsum. These material properties were
measured in different time instants during hardening on the gypsum specimens of
dimensions 40 x 40 x 160 mm using nondestructive and destructive methods. For the
determination of Dynamic Young’s Modulus, the nondestructive impulse excitation
method was used. The destructive methods were used for bending strength and
compression strength. At the end of the paper, the time evaluation of grey calcined
gypsum mechanical properties is presented and discussed.[4]

Eldhose M Manjummekudiyill et.al presents the experimental study of physical

properties of GFRG panel for finding out the suitable filler materials to strengthen it.
Various filler materials such as concrete of nominal mix M25, fly ash concrete and
recycled aggregate concrete are selected as filler material in GFRG panel and how these
filler material will take part in the improvement of strength of GFRG panel in a cost
effective way are discussed in this paper. The compression test of normal GFRG mix, and
the GFRG mix with filler materials concluded that the strength of GFRG panel increases
with the inclusion of filler materials and among the three filler material nominal concrete
mix-M25 gives the maximum compressive strength. The construction cost can be reduced
by the use of recycled aggregate concrete and fly ash concrete.[5]

Mohamed Said Meselhy Elsaeed et.al studied the GFRG system & design cost model
to analyse direct cost for the system during the design phase; ; to achieve optimization
level for system. The research methodology was divided into two parts; theoretical
aspects discuss the building design using GFRG panels according to design manual,

6
installation manual, and system requirements. Practical aspect concerns the cost of GFRG
during operation process. It is concluded that, the cost for GFRG is more than traditional
system, as GFRG is using high technology; in addition to that it saves more time during
implementation. GFRG is more efficient and less cost for repetitive projects or mass-
scale building construction, in order to increase economic value of GFRG system.[6]

Aishwary Shukla et.al discuss the important research issues and the state of the art,
emphasizing recent significant advances and discussing considerable experimental and
theoretical analysis into the structural performance of GFRG walls and providing a
structural design procedure for rapidwall building system. It also comprises of the study
of response of lengthwise or longitudinal reinforcement on periodic or cyclic shear
behavior of GFRG panels and its durability. It is observed that in all the five shear tests it
was visible that 45° diagonal shear cracks developed before peak load was reached. It is
concluded that the lengthwise reinforcement has no significant effect on shear response
of concrete filled GFRG panels. Therefore, panels with starter bars as reinforcement
could be used for which shear failure controls the design.[8]

Maganti Janardhana et.al presents guidelines for the use of GFRG wall panel as a
lateral load resisting component in buildings based on a numerical analysis procedure to
arrive at its capacity estimation under axial compression, compression with in-plane
bending and shear. In this study an attempt is made to estimate for design purposes the
capacities of GFRG wall panels under (i) Axial loads, (ii) Axial load with out-of-plane
bending (iii) Out-of-Plane bending capacity (iv)Axial load and in-plane bending moment
and (v) Capacity of wall panel due to shear load. Variation of buckling load of unfilled
GFRG wall panels for various widths is reported. The axial load carrying capacity of 1.02
m wide and 2.85 m high wall panel, obtained from the numerical analysis and the test
results are comparable for this load case. While assessing the axial load capacity for
design under compression, a minimum possible eccentricity (causing out-of-plane
bending) is accounted for. An engineering model is proposed to assess the strength of
unfilled and concrete filled GFRG wall panels in multi-storied building system subjected
to lateral load such as earthquake. [7]

7
Madhuri Reddy et.al presents the positive aspects of GFRG panels with respect to time,
cost of construction, strength, affordability, energy efficiency over the conventional
construction materials and its suitability in the Indian Housing Scenario. The cost spent
on the new demonstration building is 25 percent lesser than that of conventional ones.
Direct cost analysis and cost modeling of GFRG system is carried out. Direct cost was
concluded to be divided into 6 categories. The categories for the direct cost are GFRG
panels, Panel accessories, Electric hand tools, Crane cost, labours cost & reinforced
concrete cost. GFRG can also be effectively used in the construction to reduce the effect
of earthquake. Environmental benefits and impacts of GFRG system well described in
this paper. It is concluded that fast delivery of mass dwelling/ housing is very critical for
reducing huge urban housing shortage in India. [9]

2.3. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW

The following was understood from the literature review.

i. The average consumption of by product gypsum is only half the quantity
produced. Hence the pile up of phosphogypsum may end up as a threat to the
environment. Utilization of Phosphogypsum as building material will clean
the environment and transform the society by way of green, affordable and
rapid housing.
ii. When Gypsum is heated under normal atmospheric conditions between 40 &
200C, it loses some of its combined water and recrystalises to a rombohedral
shaped crystal to form Beta Gypsum plaster which is used for manufacturing
load bearing Glass Fibre reinforced Gypsum ( GFRG) wall panels.
iii. Glass fibres are used to reinforce the Gypsum plaster matrix and produce a strong
composite material having improved tensile and impact properties.

iv. GFRG can be used in the areas which have been struck with calamities and for
restoring the lifeline of the area rapidly.
v. The values of mechanical properties of the gypsum started to increase
especially after four days of hardening and they stabilized after 14 days.

8
 CHAPTER 3
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3.1 GENERAL

Careless laboratory manipulation introduce small amount of impurities into the gypsum
products which will severely affects its quality. In order to obtain accurate results it is
essential to follow some precautions such as,

i. Keep all apparatus thoroughly clean

ii. Remove all traces of set plaster
iii. Use air tight containers to store materials
iv. Maintain constant temperature during oven drying

3.2 FINENESS

The degree to which the gypsum is ground to smaller and smaller particle is called
fineness of gypsum. Gypsum is in the form of powder is used as construction material
which obtained as by product in the manufacture of phosphoric acid from rock phosphate
by extraction with sulphuric acid. The particle size distribution of the gypsum helps in
lower porosity and aid smoother finish [1]. The purpose of the test is to find out the
quantity of coarse material present in the gypsum. Fineness of gypsum is found by
Method of Dry Sieving which is quite good for field work.

3.2.1 Test Procedure

i. Weigh accurately 100 gram of gypsum and place it on a standard IS sieve of 90

micron.
ii. Break down any air set lumps in sample with fingers, but do not rub on the sieve.
iii. Continuously sieve the sample by holding the sieve in both hands and giving a
gentle wrist motion or mechanical sieve shaker may be used for this purpose.
iv. The sieving should be continuous for 15 minutes.

9
 v. Weigh the residue left after 15 minutes of sieving and it shall not exceed the
specified limit which is 10% of the total weight of the sample.
vi. Calculate the fineness, expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original
sample.

Fig 3.1: Residue in IS sieve 90 micron

3.2.2 Result

The percentage by weight retained on 90 micron sieve is 5%.

3.2.3 Inference

The residue left after the specified time of sieving the residue shall not exceed the
specified limit which is 10%. The test result was satisfactory.

3.3 TEMPERATURE

Temperature is an important physical quantity which is measured with a thermometer

calibrated in one or more temperature scales. The most commonly used temperature
scales are Celsius scale (0C), Fahrenheit scale (0F) and Kelvin scale (K). Temperature
may exert a comparatively small effect up on the rate of hydration of calcium sulphate
hemi hydrate. In factories, gypsum is heated between 400 C and 2000 C in order to lose its

10
combined water and to form a rhombohedra shaped crystal of beta gypsum plaster. This
beta gypsum plaster is used for manufacturing load bearing Glass Fibre Reinforced
gypsum (GFRG) wall panels.

3.3.1 Test Procedure

i. Take 200 grams of gypsum in a container.

ii. Insert a laboratory thermometer in to the gypsum.
iii. Note the reading.

Fig 3.2 : Thermometer placed in gypsum sample

3.3.2 Result

The temperature of the gypsum is measured as 30.50 C.

3.3.3 Inference

Temperature of the hemi hydrate gypsum which we use in the following experiments is
very much less than that used in factories. The strength may vary accordingly.

11
 CHAPTER 4

INITIAL SETTING TIME

4.1 GENERAL

Initial setting time can be found by taking the interval between the water addition to
gypsum and the stage when needle stops to penetrate completely. Gypsum has a property
to set quickly, which is about 2 minutes. So it is difficult to use the gypsum alone as a
construction material. The setting time of gypsum change in accordance with the
calcination temperature and impurity content.

Both initial and final setting time of gypsum can be determined using Vicat Apparatus,
although only the initial setting time is regarded as more important. In order to increase
the initial setting time of gypsum certain retarders should be used.

Fig 4.1: Vicat Apparatus

12
4.2 EFFECT OF WATER CONTENT

4.2.1 Test Procedure

Several experiments were conducted by varying the water content, concentration of white
cement and retarders. The Vicat Apparatus including Vicat mould, needle and other
attachment are shown in fig.5.1.The test procedure are as follows,

i. Mix 210 g of sample (Gypsum and white cement) with different water content
such as 44.2%,46%,50% and 60%.
ii. Suitable quantities of retardant were added to this mix and are poured into the
vicat mould; tap a few times to remove the air entrapped and level off flush with
the top of the mould.
iii. Allow the needle to sink into the paste and remove it to the original position.
iv. After each penetration, wipe the needle clean and move the mould slightly so that
the needle will not penetrate at the same point twice.
v. The result obtained after the test is as shown in the table 4.1 and Fig.4.2

Table 4.1: Initial setting time

Water Content (%) Initial Setting Time(min)

44.2 15

46 15

50 15

60 15

13
 Fig 4.2: water content versus initial setting time

4.3 EFFECT OF WHITE CEMENT

4.3.1 Test Procedure

i. Mix 210 g of sample (Gypsum and white cement) with optimum water content
and different white cement such as 5%,10% and 25%.
ii. Suitable quantities of retardant were added to this mix and are poured into the
vicat mould; tap a few times to remove the air entrapped and level off flush with
the top of the mould.
iii. Allow the needle to sink into the paste and remove it to the original position.
iv. After each penetration, wipe the needle clean and move the mould slightly so that
the needle will not penetrate at the same point twice.
v. The result obtained after this test are shown in table 4.2 and Fig 4.3.

14
 Table 4.2: initial setting time

Concentration Of Initial Setting Time

White Cement (%) (Min)

5 39

10 33

25 25

Fig 4.3: Percentage of white cement versus initial setting time

4.4 EFFECT OF RETARDERS

4.4.1 Test procedure

i. Mix 210 g of sample (Gypsum and white cement) with optimum water content
and different white cement such as 5%,10% and 25%.
ii. Suitable quantities of retardant were added to this mix and are poured into the
vicat mould; tap a few times to remove the air entrapped and level off flush with
the top of the mould.

15
iii. Allow the needle to sink into the paste and remove it to the original position.
iv. After each penetration, wipe the needle clean and move the mould slightly so that
the needle will not penetrate at the same point twice.
v. The result obtained after this test are shown in table 4.3 and Fig 4.4

Table 4.3: Initial setting time

Volume of Initial setting time

Retarders (ml) (Min)

1.5 5

6 18

9 25

10.5 45

50
Initial setting time(min)

40

30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Volume of retarders(ml)

Fig 4.4: Volume of retarders versus initial setting time

16
4.5 RESULT

i. Strength may vary from the precast panel as the temperature of gypsum while
doing testes were 30±4°C.

ii. Initial setting time can be increased by using proper retarders.

iii. Water content does not affect the initial setting time of the mix.

iv. Water absorption is less when we coat with water proofing agent rather than
mixing.

v. Initial setting time is optimum as the amount of white cement decreases to 10%.

vi. Max. Compressive strength of the GFRG cube is 17.34 MPa which is similar to
normal residential concrete of strength 17 MPa.

vii. Average compressive strength obtained after the experiment is 15.97 MPa which
has more compressive strength than

i. M15 concrete (14.99 MPa)

ii. Class 15 brick (15 MPa) as per IS 1077:1992.

17
 CHAPTER 5

COMPRESSION TEST

5.1 GENERAL

Compressive test is done in order to find the compressive strength of the specimen. It is
done with Universal testing machine as per the code IS : 2542 (Part I/Sec 5)-1978.
Compressive strength can be done with or without fibre in order to compare its strength
difference.

5.2 TEST PROCEDURE

i. Cube specimens of size 7x7x7 cm of varying proportions of white cement are

used in this test.

Fig 5.1: Test specimen

ii. Suitable quantities of gypsum, glass fibre, white cement, retarder and water are
mixed uniformly to form GFRG mix.
iii. This mix is poured in the mould and tapped properly so as not to have any air
voids.
iv. After final setting time, the specimens were de-moulded and top surface of these
specimens should be made even and smooth.

18
 v. These specimens were placed under the sunlight and allow natural dry for 3 days,
7 days and 28 days.
vi. The specimen shall be placed at the centre of the testing machine and compressive
load were applied gradually on the faces of the specimen, not on top and bottom.
vii. Apply the load gradually without shock and continuously till the specimen fails.
viii. The maximum load indicated by the testing machine was noted.

Fig 5.2: Specimen placed in UTM

19
5.3 OBSERVATION TABLE

Table 5.1: Compressive Strength without fibre

Concentration of Compressive
White cement Strength (MPa)
(%) 3rd day 7th day 28th day

5 5.102 5.706 8.877

10 8.379 8.651 10.081

25 8.734 8.749 8.828

18

15
Compressive Strength (MPa)

12

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Percentage of White Cement

Fig 5.3: compressive strength for 28th day

20
 Table 5.2: Compressive Strength with fibre

Concentration of Compressive
white cement Strength (MPa)
(%) 3rd day 7th day 28th day

5 9.020 12.571 12.653

10 11.726 13.346 15.971

25 9.428 12.571 13

18
Compressive strength (MPa)

15

12

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Percentage of White Cement

Figure 5.4: compressive strength for 28th day

5.4 INFERENCE

From the comparative study of compression test results of test cube with and without
fibre shows that the optimum strength is obtained when glass fibre is added with 10%
white cement.

21
 CHAPTER 6

WATER ABSORPTION

6.1 GENERAL

Gypsum is one of the major construction materials for a sustainable future. To compete
with the cementitious system, its water resistance must be improved. Glass fibre
reinforced gypsum cannot be directly used in the construction of external walls, bathroom
walls, floors etc. In order to overcome this challenge, water proofing or water repellent
chemicals are added to GFRG.

6.2 WATER PROOFING

Water proofing is important in building in order to prevent entry of moisture, causing

possible dampness, discoloration and deterioration in the long term, if left unattended.
There are various options for water proofing, and new generation materials are emerging,
through innovative research efforts.

In this project MasterEmaco SBR 2 is used as water proofing chemical and it is milky
white, Styrene-Butadiene co-polymer latex liquid. MasterEmaco SBR 2 improves the
physical and mechanical properties of material and it exhibit high resistance to water
penetration.

6.3 WATER ABSORPTION TEST PROCEDURE

To determine the amount of water absorbed by the test specimen, water absorption test
are conducted. In the previous chapter it is concluded that the compressive strength of
GFRG cube is maximum at 9:1 gypsum-white cement ratio. So water absorption test is
conducted using the same proportion. The test procedure as follows,

i. The specimen of dimensions 7x7x7 cm shall be used for this test.

ii. The amounts of materials gypsum and white cement are in the ratio 9:1,
corresponding amount of water and retardant 1163 are used along with1% of
water proofing retardant MasterEmaco SBR 2.

22
 iii. Several test specimens were made by changing the method of application of water
proofing retardant MasterEmaco SBR 2. Test specimens include mixing with the
GFRG mixture, applying 3 layered coating in the standard specimen, both mixing
and coating in the standard specimen.
iv. The test specimen is completely air cured for a period of 24 hours, after de-
moulding it.
v. Then the specimen shall be completely immersed in water at 27± 20 C for a period
of 24 hours, with at least 30 mm height of water over the top of the specimen
which shall be so positioned that it does not lie flat on the bottom of the container.

Fig 6.1: Specimen placed in water

vi. These samples shall be taken out and weighed (W1) after removing surplus
moisture with a damp cloth.
vii. The specimen shall then be placed in an air-oven capable of being raised to 45±
20C and then maintained at the temperature for 24 hours.
viii. Then the weight of each specimen is noted.
ix. The specimen shall then be allowed to cool in a desiccator having Blue silica gel
and weighed and weight (W2) is noted for each specimen.

23
 Fig 6.2: Specimen placed in Desiccator

x. The percentage of water absorption can be calculated using the equation,

Percentage absorption = [(W1 - W2) / W2] x 100

Where
W1 = Weight of specimen after immersing water
W2 = Weight of specimen after cooling

24
6.4 RESULT

The test results are shown in the table 6.1

PERCENTAGE AVERAGE
W1 W2 ABSORPTION PERCENTAGE
SPECIMEN
(Kg) (Kg) (%) ABSORPTION
(%)
WAB01-0M-0C 0.607 0.537 13.035
Normal WAB02-0M-0C 0.612 0.541 13.123 13.287
WAB03-0M-0C 0.614 0.540 13.703
WAB01-1M-0C 0.604 0.535 12.897
Mixing only WAB02-1M-0C 0.598 0.525 12.904 12.751
WAB03-1M-0C 0.605 0.538 12.453
WAB01-0M-1C 0.595 0.588 1.19
Coating only WAB02-0M-1C 0.591 0.584 1.198 1.25
WAB03-0M-1C 0.592 0.584 1.369
WAB01-1M-1C 0.611 0.598 2.173
Mixing+Coating WAB02-1M-1C 0.621 0.609 1.97 2.38
WAB03-1M-1C 0.617 0.599 3.005

6.5 INFERENCE

The nominal value of water absorption is 3.85% after 24 hours. The optimum
value that is obtained is for coating and for both coating and mixing the water
proof additive into the mix. The normal GFRG mix can absorb 13.287 % of
water, but by the addition of water proofing material the water absorption rate can
be reduced in the range of 1% -3 %.

25
 CHAPTER 7
CONCLUSION
7.1 CONCLUSIONS

From the study, following conclusions were arrived.

 GFRG mix can be transported in an airtight container to faraway places which

will not affect the strength of the panel for a large extent.
 Cast-in-situ technique can reduce the transportation cost.
 Gypsum may attract moisture from atmosphere and form small lumps. So it
should be always kept air tight.
 The temperature of the gypsum while doing the entire test was 30±4°C. So
strength may vary from the precast panel.
 Initial setting time can be increased by using proper retarders.
 Water content does not affect the initial setting time of the mix.
 Water absorption is less when we coat with water proofing agent rather than
mixing.
 Initial setting time increases as amount of white cement decreases to 10%.
 Maximum compressive strength of the GFRG cube was 17346kN/m2 which was
similar to normal residential concrete of strength 17000kN/mm2.
 Average compressive strength obtained after the experiment is 15971kN/m2
which has more compressive strength than M15 concrete (14999kN/m2) and class
17.5 brick (17161kN/m2) as per is IS 1077:1992.

7.2 FUTURE RESEARCH

The future research needs to direct the following aspect:

i. This research aims to study on flexural and vertical load bearing capacity of the GFRG
mixture.
ii. Future research needs to inspect effect of using gypsum based additives in the GFRG
mixture.
iii. Future research needs to study the properties of GFRG mixture when fly ash and sand
is added to it.

26
 REFERENCE
[1] Sajo Francis (2017), “GREEN, AFORDABLE & RAPID HOUSING USING
GYPWALL - Latest Trend in building Technology”, IJCRT, ISSN: 2320-2882.
[2] K.Alagusankareswari, Jenitha.G, S.Sastha Arumuga Pandi (2018), “EXPERIMENTAL
STUDY ON EMPTY GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED GYPSUM PANEL”, Indian
J.Sci.Res. 17(2): 217 – 220.
[3] Sk. Subhan Alisha, Sajja. Neeraja, Sk. Akber, G. Sai Manoj (June 2016), “Low cost
housing by using GFRG panels”, IJSRSET, Volume 2, Issue 3.
[4] P. Padevět, P. Tesárek, T. Plachý (2011), “Evolution of mechanical properties of
gypsum in time”, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICS, Volume 5,
Issue 1.
[5] Eldhose M Manjummekudiyil, Basil P Alias, Biji K Eldhose, Sarath Rajan, Thasneem
Hussain (March 2015), “Study of GFRG panles and its strengthening”, International
Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research, Vol. 2, Issue 2.
[6] Mohamed Said Meselhy Elsaeed (June 2016), “COST MODEL FOR USING GLASS
FIBRE REINFORCED GYPSUM SYSTEM (GFRG)”, International Journal of
Development and Economic Sustainability Vol.4, No.3, pp.33-47.
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ON THE BEHAVIOR OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED GYPSUM WALL PANELS,
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[8] Aishwary Shukla, Mohd. Afaque Khan, Abhishek Kumar (Feb 2016), “A Review Of
Research On Building Systems Using Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum Wall Panels”,
IRJET, Volume3, Issue 2.
[9] Jitendra Kumar (February, 2014)," SLUMS IN INDIA: A FOCUS ON
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[10] Madhuri Reddy, Rakhi Wagh, Yogiraj Deshmukh (October 2017), “GFRG Panels
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