Analysis of Concrete Properties Using Sawdust as a Sand Substitute
Keywords:
Sawdust concrete, sustainable construction, fine aggregate replacement, compressive strength, environmental sustainabilityAbstract
This experimental study investigates the utilization of sawdust as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete production to address environmental concerns and resource conservation. The research examines the effects of varying sawdust content (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) on concrete properties including compressive strength, flexural strength, workability, density, and water absorption. Standard concrete mixes were prepared following established testing protocols with water-cement ratio of 0.5 and cement-sand ratio of 1:3. Results indicate that sawdust incorporation up to 10% maintains acceptable compressive strength values above 20 MPa at 28 days, suitable for non-structural applications. The optimal replacement level was found to be 10%, yielding compressive strength of 32.47 MPa compared to 41.48 MPa for control specimens. Water absorption increased with higher sawdust content due to the hygroscopic nature of wood particles. Microstructural analysis revealed improved pore structure optimization with moderate sawdust inclusion. The study concludes that sawdust can serve as an effective sustainable alternative to natural sand up to 10% replacement, contributing to waste management while producing environmentally friendly concrete for specific construction applications.
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References
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