Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed an innovative new construction panel made from timber and cardboard, which promises to make temporary housing for people displaced by natural disasters more affordable, lighter, and sustainable. These new panels are 50% lighter than their predecessors while maintaining the same strength, according to a recent study by structural engineering Ph.D. candidate Mahmoud Abu-Saleem and Associate Professor Joe Gattas from UQ’s School of Civil Engineering.
Dr. Gattas explained that the extensive use of cardboard in the panels helps reduce both the cost and environmental impact of construction. This makes the panels a more viable option for temporary housing, especially as builders increasingly face shortages and skyrocketing prices of traditional building materials. “Cardboard is one of the most highly recycled materials for packaging in Australia,” said Dr. Gattas. “By using it, we’re not adding to waste or increasing resource consumption—we’re extending the life of a material that would otherwise be recycled again.”
Continue reading… “Innovative Timber-Cardboard Panels Could Revolutionize Temporary Housing for Disaster Relief”