Construction Materials and Testing 2018

DEVELOPMENT OF SAWDUST AS AN ADMIXTURE IN PRODUCTION OF

HOLLOW BLOCKS

ABSTRACT

In this research paper, it was experimentally carried out to study the effects of introducing the cost in sawdust

used in making concrete hollow block and in order to investigate a possible solution. The project work

understudies the weight with regard to compressive strength. Production of solid concrete hollow blocks was

made by additives in sand with a varying proportion (6%, 12%, and 18%) of sawdust. Wherein sawdust concrete

blocks manufactured entirely on an ad hoc basis from indigenous materials using only a hand-made steel plate

mould were evaluated. The results indicated that compressive strength of chb at 28 days was 1.96N/mm2,

1.98N/mm2 and 2.01N/mm2 for 6% SDA at water-cement ratios 0.65 to 3.00 respectively. The compressive

strength for 12% SDA was 2.04N/mm2, 2.05N/mm2 and 2.07N/mm2 at water-cement ratios 0.65 to 3.00

respectively. The compressive strength for 18% SDA was 2.12N/mm2, 2.14N/mm2 and 2.60N/mm2 at water-

cement ratios 0.65 to 3.00 respectively. By these results sawdust hollow blocks with up to 18% SD additives at

water-cement ratios 0.65 to 3.00 can be used for non-load bearing walls.

Keywords: Sawdust; Hollow blocks; Admixtures; Compressive strength; UTM.

INTRODUCTION

Sawdust is a by-product of cutting, grinding, drilling, sanding, or otherwise pulverizing wood with a saw

or other tool; it is composed of fine particles of wood. Certain animals, birds and insects which live in wood, such

as the carpenter ant are also responsible for producing the saw dust. Sawdust has a variety of other practical uses,

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including serving as much, as an alternative to clay cat litter, or as a fuel. Sawdust can be used as alternative

substitute for fine aggregate in concrete production. Before using the saw dust it should be washed and cleaned

because of large amount of barks are present which can affect setting time and heat of hydration of cement. The

factors related to structural performances are crucial, when using masonry blocks in constructing walls and

buildings. Many studies have been carried out to identify highly available, low cost innovative material to use in

construction industry as a solution to meet the ever increasing demand for raw material. Among the new materials

introduced to the market, light-weight materials are becoming much popular nowadays because of its easy

handling and low dead loads.

Since wood is a potential source of energy and environmentally benign friendly material, there will be

increased usage of wood in energy production in the future. As a result the quantity of dust generated will also

increase and concurrently raising the issues of disposal. Incorporation of saw dust as an admixture on cement

material in blended cement and concrete will be beneficial from both the environmental and economic point of

views. This will give a solution to the waste management problem while minimizing the consumption of energy

intensive hydraulic cement. Currently, saw dust are frequently used as a soil supplement to improve the alkalinity

of soil for agriculture applications and also as a filler material in the construction of flexible pavements for roads

and highways.

This paper will contain the study of compressive strength characteristics of concrete hollow blocks with

sawdust as an admixture. If what will be the sawdust behaviour with the cement? Is the compressive strength of

a hollow blocks with saw dust additives greater than the given standard hollow block? What is the effect of saw

dust to the strength of hollow block?

The following questions would be answered according from the metal screen data and results of the tests;

 What is the compressive strength of concrete hollow block supplement with saw dust for 7, 14 and 28

curing days?

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 What is the comparative compressive strength of normal concrete hollow blocks in hollow blocks

associated with sawdust?

 Is saw dust can be used as an alternative material in building constructions?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study would focus on compressive strength, density and water absorption of saw dust blended

concrete hollow blocks versus the strength of a given standard hollow block. The test would be done using

Universal Testing Machine (UTM). This study also comes up on the differentiation of standard concrete mixture

on how the experimental study of saw dust on hollow block will largely effect its compressive strength. The

sawdust used as an additives on chb sample also in the ASTM standards ASTM C618 (1978) specification as a

siliceous and aluminous material which, in itself possess little or no cementitious value but in fine form and in

the presence of moisture or water, chemically reacts with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperatures to form

compounds possessing cementitious properties.

RAW MATERIAL

SAWDUST OF TOONA CALANTAS (Philippine mahogany)

We collected sawdust of mahogany from selling lumber stores and furniture manufacturers around Pasig.

We make sure that sawdust is completely dry with at least 0% of moisture content. Sawdust (SD) is composed of

fine particles of wood. The physical and chemical properties of sawdust vary significantly depending on several

factors, especially the species of wood. Preliminary analysis was conducted on the sawdust to determine their

suitability for block making. Tests conducted include: particle size analysis of sand, specific gravity test on

Sawdust and sand. Majority of the fine particles of sawdust passed through 4.76 mm test sieve. For each of these

characteristics the experimental set up was 40cmx20cmx4in factorial arrangement with (27) replicates. The

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factors are: percentage of Sawdust Ash at three levels (6%, 12% and 18%), mix ratios and curing days at three

levels (7, 14 and 28). Three replicates were used for the

work.

Mixing: - The required quantities of material were weighted out as per proportions and mixing was done as per

ASTM specifications.

Moulding: - Casting was affected as per ASTM specification. Size of block used was 40cmx20cmx4in. various

mix proportions providing (cement: fine aggregate (sand + sawdust) tested were: 1:3 (6%, 12%, 18% sawdust

replacement)

Curing: Specimens were divided into two sets for curing under sprinkling method and was affected up to 7 days,

14 days & 28 days. The molding was affected after 24 hours specimen containing higher replacement % of

sawdust, the mould bases were left a little longer period.

Testing: - Blocks were tested for compressive strength separately and density of block at7 days, 14 days and 28

days. Effect of type of curing on compressive strength, effect of sawdust on water observation % has also been

tested.

Sample Mix proportions (1:3)

Cement (kg) Sand (kg) Sawdust (kg) Water (kg)

Control 42.63 3.00 0 0.42

SD – 6 42.63 2.72 0.24 0.65

SD – 12 42.63 3.24 0.48 1.67

SD – 18 42.63 3.48 0.72 3.00

Table 1. Mix proportion for SD hollow blocks.

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Mix proportion was carried out by absolute volume method to select the most suitable materials (cement, SD,

sand and water) that will produce blocks with the desired properties. Compressive strength and density of the

sawdust hollow blocks were also determined.

RESULTS

The variation of compressive strength with curing age for different cement sand ratio with admixture of

sand with sawdust under above curing conditions are presented in Table 1.

Compressive Strength of Test Samples: The variations of compressive strength with age at curing are presented

in Table 2. Water was continuously provided in the course of curing and the hydration process continued. At the

28 days hydration period, few samples at the 18% additives, came closer to the standard and this could be taken

as the optimum replacement level of sand with sawdust for strength criterion. At the 28 days hydration period,

the range of strength obtained was between 1.93 Mpa (for 6% sawdust content) to 2.14 Mpa (for 18% sawdust

content) as shown in fig 1.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HOLLOW BLOCKS

WITH SAWDUST
1.4
1.21
1.2
0.97
1
0.78
0.8 0.66 0.66
0.6
0.6 0.53 0.5
0.44 0.47 0.45
0.36
0.4
0.2
0
conventional 6% 12% 18%
7 DAYS

1st trial 2nd trial 3rd trial

Fig. 2. Graphical representation of hollow block testing under three trials at 7-day.

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COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HOLLOW BLOCKS

WITH SAWDUST
2 1.82 1.88
1.76 1.77
1.8 1.63
1.45 1.52
1.6 1.38
1.32 1.3
1.4 1.23
1.14
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
conventional 6% 12% 18%
14 DAYS

1st trial 2nd trial 3rd trial

Fig. 3. Graphical representation of hollow block testing under three trials at 14-day

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF HOLLOW BLOCKS

WITH SAWDUST
2.5
2.12 2.14 2.16
2.01 2.04 2.05 2.07
1.96 1.98
2
1.71
1.62
1.47
1.5

0.5

0
conventional 6% 12% 18%
28 DAYS

1st trial 2nd trial 3rd trial

Fig. 4. Graphical representation of hollow block testing under three trials at 28-day

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AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF

COMPRESIVE STRENGTH (MPA) HOLLOW BLOCK WITH SAWDUST
7 DAYS 14 DAYS 28 DAYS

2.5
2.14
2 1.93 1.82 1.82
1.6 1.64
1.5
1.38
1.23
1 0.98
0.5 0.48 0.54 0.54

0
CONVENTIONAL 6% 12% 18%
SAWDUST CONTENT

Fig 1. Graphical representation of average compressive strength of block samples.

Fig. 2 to 4 shows that as the percentage of sawdust increases, there is increase in compressive strength

significantly. As the study emphasizes on the partition wall of the framed structure, the reasonable low

compressive strength blocks can also be used in the construction work. Few samples, at the 18% replacement,

came closer to the standard and this could be taken as the optimum replacement level of sand with sawdust for

strength criterion. At the 28 days hydration period, the range of strength obtained was between 1.71 N/mm2 (for

0% sawdust content) shown in figure 1. Test result indicates that the compressive strength increases with increase

in sawdust content for all ages at curing. But, for the chb manufactured with 12% replacement level however, the

sawdust replacement did not appear to have a significant effect on the compressive strength of the chbs. The water

/cement ratio increases as the percentage of sawdust increases. At 18% sawdust replacement, there is about 18%

reduction in weight and 3% reduction in production cost. It could, therefore, be concluded that: To achieve a better

result in the use of sawdust for concrete cubes production, the percentage replacement of sand should not be more

than 12%.

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STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The statistical model used in this study is linear regression. Linear Regression is used to know the relevant

correlation of data and the relation of the different dependent variables and as well as predict the outcome of such

experiments.

6% OF ADMIXTURE
1.6
1.4
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

y = 0.0139x + 0.74
1.2 R² = 0.1247
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
CURING DAYS

Fig. 5. Linear Regression Analysis of 6% admixture

In figure 5, the graph means that the value corresponds at the equation are the value of the slope of the

linearity of data. This figure is analysed by simple linear regression provided the established equation y

= ax + b. The linearity of data is found to have the equation of y = 0.0139x + 0.74. The R value indicates

how the data is best fitted o the linearity of equation as it approaches to a value of 1.

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12% OF ADMIXTURE
2.5

y = 0.0658x + 0.335
R² = 0.8123
2
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
CURING DAYS

Fig. 6. Linear Regression Analysis of 12% admixture

In figure 6, the graph means that the value corresponds at the equation are the value of the slope of the

linearity of data. This figure is analysed by simple linear regression provided the established equation y

= ax + b. The linearity of data is found to have the equation of y = 0.0658x + 0.335. The R value indicates

how the data is best fitted o the linearity of equation as it approaches to a value of 1.

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18% OF ADMIXTURE
2.5
y = 0.0524x + 0.73
R² = 0.9291
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
CURING DAYS

Fig. 7. Linear Regression Analysis of 18% admixture

In figure 7, the graph means that the value corresponds at the equation are the value of the slope of the

linearity of data. This figure is analysed by simple linear regression provided the established equation y

= ax + b. The linearity of data is found to have the equation of y = 0.0524x + 0.73. The R value indicates

how the data is best fitted o the linearity of equation as it approaches to a value of 1.

CONCLUSION:

From the results of the tests conducted, As the proportion of sawdust increases, concrete becomes less workable

meaning that water cement ratio needs to be increased to make mixes more workable. Based on the strength

behaviour of sawdust blend concrete carried out, a possibility exists for the partial replacement of sand for the

production of lightweight concrete. The optimum replacement of sand with sawdust has been found to be 6% for

the lightwood species. SDA has a fairly significant effect on the compressive strength of chb and its density. The

weight of chb decreases as the saw dust ash content increases. The water cement ratio shows remarkable effect

on the compressive strength, there are increases in the compressive strength of chb. It can be inferred from the

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investigation that chb containing SDA are suitable for use as non-load bearing blocks and that the addition of

SDA into the sand – cement matrix can be used in the production of blocks with lighter weight.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that:

• SDA can be used as admixture to cement in the production of concrete hollow blocks.

• For a mix design of 1:3 and water cement ratios of 0.1125 with 6%, 12% SDA should be employed for

low income housing.

• For better strength, replacement of cement with SDA should be employed using a richer mix design.

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Management Series.

Buyukozturk, Oral & Oguz, Gunes. (2004): High-Rise Buildings: Evolution and Innovations. Keynote Lecture

CIB2004 World Building Congress Toronto, Ontario.

Hornbostel, C. ( 1991): Construction materials: types, uses, and applications, John Wiley & Sons Inc., USA,.

271,

Ikponmwosa, E. E. & Salau, M. A. (2007): Use of locally available raw materials for improved housing.

(Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering), University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State,

Gunasekaran K, Kumar PS, Lakshmipathy M. 2011. Mechanical and bond properties of coconut shell concrete.

Construction and building materials 25(1):92- 98.

Aggarwal P, Aggarwal Y, Gupta SM. 2007. Effect of bottom ash as replacement of fine Aggregates in concrete.

Asian journal of civil engineering (building and housing) 8(1):49-62.

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