Development and Characterization of a Micro-Concrete Based on Wood Waste from Sawmills

Abstract

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of using concrete compositions containing waste wood for structural and non-structural building applications. First, the inert and wood aggregates used in the composite design were characterized. Five compositions containing a reference, 50% and 100% of wood particles were then produced and characterized in terms of physical and mechanical performance (e.g., apparent density, abrasion, compressive strength, and flexural strength). The selected specimens were used for additional experimental tests. These included water absorption and thermal tests. Increasing wood waste content considerably lower compressive and flexural strengths while improving the thermal insulation quality of wood waste-cement composite. The durability assessment of selected compositions further showed that the abrasion resistance of manufactured specimen decreased by adding wood waste in the cement matrix while there was an increase of the capillarity absorption coefficients. It appears that the incorporation of waste wood particles into mortars decrease their thermal conductivities to 0.3 W/mK. The use of wood waste treated by a lime solution improves the studied properties.