Evaluation of Recycled Short Glass Fibre HDPE for Residential Structural Walls

Krumins, Talis (2023) Evaluation of Recycled Short Glass Fibre HDPE for Residential Structural Walls. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

Australia's transition to a circular economy lags behind many first-world nations, highlighting the pressing need for innovative solutions in recycling and sustainable material usage, particularly in the plastics industry. Meanwhile, the construction sector grapples with supply shortages of traditional material such as timber, driving the pursuit of alternative materials. This thesis addresses this dual challenge by evaluating the viability of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with short glass fibres (SGF-HDPE) as a substitute for timber in residential structural wall stud applications.

The suitability of SGF-HDPE in conjunction with sheathing materials, in a residential structural wall stud application was evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA) in order to: 1) reduce material from the framing material without significantly compromising the composite wall performance and 2) explore the feasibility of incorporating perforations in the web structure to accommodate water, electrical, and communication services and evaluates its performance.

It analyses the use of SGF-HDPE as a framing component in conjunction with two types of sheathing material; oriented strand board (OSB) and fibre cement. Three distinct stud profiles are investigated to enhance structural characteristics under different loading conditions, with a particular emphasis on flexural behaviour. Moreover, it evaluates the performance of the composite wall in three load scenarios; axial longitudinal direction, flexural in the sagittal direction and in-plane shear in the transversal direction.

The results of the analyses showed that the strategic positioning of perforations in the stud web can be achieved with minimal structural performance compromise. This innovation opens the door to manufacturing walls from SGF-HDPE with ample provisions for essential services such as water pipes and electrical cables. Furthermore, the contribution of sheathing to the overall performance of the wall is profound. The study also demonstrates more complex geometry can be effectively leveraged to reduce material consumption without significantly compromising performance.

This thesis provides valuable insights into the use of SGF-HDPE as a sustainable timber substitute in the Australian construction sector. By addressing resource scarcity and waste management it contributes to the domain of sustainable construction practise. The findings propose a framework for further research and development in this area and help set a course for a more resource efficient future.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -)
Supervisors: Manalo, Allan
Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)
Date Deposited: 29 Sep 2025 23:53
Last Modified: 29 Sep 2025 23:53
Uncontrolled Keywords: recycling; high-density polyethylene (HDPE); short glass fibres (SGF-HDPE)
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52964

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