Impact of perlite, vermiculite and cement on the Young modulus of a plaster composite material: Experimental, analytical and numerical approaches

The mechanical behavior of a new composite material used in building construction is studied in this work. The composite panel results of combination of a calcium sulfate hydrates matrix mainly water and inorganic mineral additives. The effective young modulus of the composite is measured by three bending test. Analytical and numerical models are used to determine the composite young modulus which can be expected vs the type and rate of additives. The experimental values are compared with analytical and numerical results. The results from models are near or lightly lower than the experimental values and allow an estimation of the effective properties which can be expected for the new composite developed.