Structural response of cement-bonded wood composite panels as permanent formwork

Bio-sourced materials combined with a cementitious matrix offer an interesting alternative to traditional construction materials. To contribute to their wider acceptance by the sustainable construction market, an investigation into the use of wood-cement composite panels as stay-in-place or permanent formwork is presented. As individual panels, the mechanical performance was evaluated through three point bending tests. But, as part of the formwork system, their overall structural performance was evaluated through finite element simulation under the action of lateral pressure exerted by the concrete in a liquid state. The Concrete Damage Plasticity Model (CPDM) available in the Abaqus code is adapted and used to model the mechanical behaviour of the wood-cement composite. The obtained results show wood-cement composite panels offer a promising alternative for the development of a lightweight permanent formwork system, that can contribute to the thermal and acoustic comfort of green buildings.