ABSTRACT
The present paper explores the possibilities of utilisation of renewable vegetative fibre (sisal) in place of non-renewable and carcinogenic mineral fibre (asbestos) in cement matrix for roofing in housing. This investigation deals with the development of sisal cement composites by optimisation of various parameters such as water cement ratio, fibre length, casting pressure, curing time, shape and gauge of steel mesh by conducting the flexural strength test. The comparative studies of sisal fibre cement sheet and asbestos sheet are carried out by measuring their water absorption, breaking load, weathering (indoor and outdoor), water impermeability, acid resistance and frost cracking. Finally, it may be concluded that the breaking load of the sheet at a span of one meter comes to 70–80% of AC sheet. But due to its repairability, less water absorption, impervious nature, easy processing, safety factor of human life and economy, sisal fibre cement sheet has a great scope for substitution of health hazardous and carcinogenic asbestos cement sheets.
