Abstract:
In building construction there is a need of alternative materials which are low cost, high efficiency and
environmentally responsible. This research presents an innovative solution for partition walls. The
solution is produced by using sawdust, mycelium and other ingredients which are normally used in
mushroom cultivation. In this material the mycelium acts as a natural glue to bind sawdust particles.
Also bamboo fibre was introduced to increase the strength of the innovative material. The panel making
process was done by four steps as preparing mixture, preparing mould to grow mycelium, getting
mushroom cultivation and compressing and drying the panel. To find the standard of the properties of
the material, compression strength parallel to surface and water absorption tests were done by using
the test specimens of the new material. All the tests were conducted according to the ASTM D 1037
(1978) standard to keep the test results at a standard level. The compression strength test showed that
the optimum amount of bamboo fibre proportion in order to get the maximum compressive strength.
Other than that ultimate compressive strength, yield strength, density, specific strength and Young’s
modulus were calculated too. The properties of new material were compared with Gypsum and MDF
panels to find the position in the market. In this process mushroom is harvested as a by-product which
leads to make a link between food industry and construction industry. This material fulfils the
requirements of partition walls and can be applied as a green solution in partition wall construction.
