COMPARISON OF RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY (RSM) AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS (ANN) TOWARDS EFFICIENT OPTIMIZATION OF FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF GYPSUM-BONDED FIBERBOARDS

ABSTRACT In this study, the hydration behavior of gypsum paste mixed with bagasse and kenaf fibers as lignocellulosic material and fiberglass as inorganic material is evaluated. Moreover, the properties of gypsum-bonded fiberboard (GBFB) are examined using bagasse fibers (Saccharum officinarum.L), kenaf fibers (Hibiscus cannabinus.L) and industrial fiberglass. The weight ratios of fiberglass (at three levels 0, 3 and 6%), bagasse fiber (at three levels 0, 7.5 and 15%) and kenaf fiber (at three levels 0, 7.5 and 15%) to gypsum are used to make the gypsum-bonded fiberboard with the nominal densi...