Investigation and Prediction of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Gypsum/Rice Straw Composite Using ANFIS Model

Lack of environmental and economical resources leads to a quest for new alternatives in civil construction. In the recent decades, gypsum was used for plastering material on walls and ceilings. Many researches have been dedicated to natural fibers in order to be used as a reinforcement in cement and gypsum and some of them have been managed to decrease the density while enhancing the mechanical properties of the cement and gypsum composites. In this research, a lingo cellulose fibers which is rice straw in ten composition percentages are used in gypsum accordingly. In addition, Methyl cellulose, lime, starch, alkali lime saturated solution and one molar potassium hydroxide as a corrector of straw are used. From each composite three samples were made, based on the related standards, for assessment of axial and bending strengths However, Rice straw illustrated weak performances in axial and bending strengths it reduces density by 12 percent. While having the latter improvements, processed rice straw increased bending strength by 12 percent. Studying Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) outputs confirmed the obtained results. Furthermore, utilizing ANFIS in Matlab software a model for predicting properties of new composites and reaching best composites is obtained.