The Nigerian-grown African birch timber was used to assemble I-section specimens which were tested in the laboratory for their compressive strengths. Solid square sections of the same specie were similarly tested for an apt comparison of results. A structural reliability analysis was carried out for these two sections to ascertain their performance as structural timber columns using statistical parameters that were determined for the deterministic design of the timber column. A FORTRAN-based program was also developed and used for the reliability analysis of the Nigerian-grown

A structural reliability analysis was carried out on the Nigerian-grown African birch timber to ascertain its performance as a structural timber column for solid, box and I built-up sections using FORTRAN language. By varying its depth, length and the axial load supported by the column, results obtained reveal that the timber is adequate for use as solid timber column at a depth and breadth of 150 mm, an effective height of 3600 mm and an axial load of 260 kN with its probability of failure as 8.85 × 10 −3 . The corresponding I-section was found to be unsafe, whereas the box-section supported the design load with a probability of failure of 1.6 × 10 −6 . For the design dimension (150 × 150 mm), the solid section has a compressive capacity twice that of the I-section. The box-section has a capacity three times that of the I-section and twice that of the solid section at increased loads.

No abstract

This research work presents the application of guinea corn husk (GCH) and cow hair (CH) fibres as reinforcement in cement composite. The influence of the hybrid fibre volume on the flexural performance of the composite has been studied experimentally. The mechanical (flexural strength) and physical (density, water absorptivity, moisture content) characteristics of the GCH-CH hybrid fibre reinforced composite were evaluated. The highest flexural strength was 22.37MPa, exhibited by the composite reinforced with 15% (12.5% GCH & 2.5% CH) hybrid fibre. The density of the GCH-CH hybrid composite ranged from 1019 to 1963 kg/m3. The water absorptivity varied from 22.59 to 38.16% and the moisture content ranged from 3.32 to 11.28%. These limits are within the range in standard therefore, the performance of the composite satisfies the requirements of BS EN 12467 standard for ceiling board.