Geometry-Driven Structural Efficiency and Normative Performance of Miriti-Based Sandwich Composite Roofing Tiles.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Structural Engineering
• Sustainable Building Materials

Background:

• Composite materials offer potential for lightweight and efficient construction.
• Traditional roofing materials face challenges in sustainability and performance.
• Miriti wood presents an opportunity as a sustainable core material in composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the structural efficiency and normative compliance of sandwich composite roofing tiles.
• To assess the performance of tiles with a miriti wood core and fiberglass-reinforced polymer faces.
• To validate miriti wood as a sustainable core for composite roofing systems.

Main Methods:

• Hand lay-up manufacturing of trapezoidal-profile composite tiles.
• Testing according to ABNT NBR 16753 standards, including visual inspection, water absorption, and resistance tests.
• Characterization of material properties such as density, fiber content, flexural behavior, deformation, and impact resistance.

Main Results:

• Miriti wood core density was extremely low (0.091 g/cm³), resulting in lightweight tiles (approx. 8 mm thickness).
• Tiles demonstrated excellent deformation resistance (15.0-15.75 mm deflection) and impact resistance (100% approval).
• Apparent flexural stresses ranged from 6.7-9.3 MPa, with moduli between 0.7-1.9 GPa.

Conclusions:

• Geometric factors significantly influence the structural performance of these composite tiles.
• Miriti wood is a viable, sustainable core material for producing high-performance composite roofing.
• The developed composite tiles meet normative requirements for roofing applications.