Abstract
Abstract This research investigates the performance of sawdust wastes and laterite as an alternative lightweight fine aggregate and cementitious material respectively in eco-friendly lightweight interlocking concrete paving units (ICPU) using a mix ratio of 1:2:4. The lightweight sawdust and laterite were studied due to their abundant availability as industrial waste and cheap local construction material. Eco-friendly ICPU is a low-strength concrete with compressive strengths of 6.02–7.57 and 3.66–4.52 N/mm2 at 5 and 10% sawdust replacements with bulk density ranges of 1,756.62–1,810.9 and 1,522.89–1,532.4 kg/m3 respectively which exceeded the minimum compressive strength requirement of 3.45 N/mm2 in non-load bearing concrete applications. Though air curing recorded higher compressive strengths at early curing ages, water curing was recommended to facilitate complete hydration owing to the hygroscopic nature of the sawdust. The packing and filling effects of the lightweight sawdust coupled with the combined pozzolanic properties of the sawdust waste and laterite seemed to have contributed to the slight increase in CS of the eco-friendly ICPU when heated. Effective partnerships among the State and Local Government Waste Management Authorities, sawmill operators and informal waste collectors were recommended for effective sawdust waste recovery, storage and usage in eco-friendly construction.
Highlights
IntroductionSustainable waste materials in concrete and construction The increasing demand for high-performance sustainable materials in the construction industry, which represents a shift towards sustainable, eco-friendly and green practices, poses a huge challenge to structural engineers, material engineers, environmental engineers and architects (D’Alessandro, Asdrubali, & Baldinelli, 2014; Mahmoud, Ibrahim, El-Chabib, & Patibandla, 2013; Sojobi, Nwobodo, & Aladegboye, 2016; Yet, Hamid, & Kasmuri, 2012)
Suitability of the lightweight sawdust concrete in interlocking concrete paving units (ICPU) All the samples met the minimum CS7 and CS28 required by National Building Code (2006) and NBRRI (2006) for use as interlocking paving bricks but did not meet the minimum compressive strength (CS) requirements of 30 N/ mm2 recommended by BIS 15658 (Bureau of Indian Standards, 2006) and ESS 4382 (2004) for interlocking paving units for non-traffic and normal-duty applications, respectively
(2) The compressive strengths of the paving units were found to reduce with increasing sawdust replacements of sand with mean CS reductions of 39.06, 62.77 and 73.97% at 5, 10 and 15% replacement levels while the mean CS reductions were 50.80, 60.92, 54.23 and 68.44% at 7, 28, 60 and 90 days curing ages
Summary
Sustainable waste materials in concrete and construction The increasing demand for high-performance sustainable materials in the construction industry, which represents a shift towards sustainable, eco-friendly and green practices, poses a huge challenge to structural engineers, material engineers, environmental engineers and architects (D’Alessandro, Asdrubali, & Baldinelli, 2014; Mahmoud, Ibrahim, El-Chabib, & Patibandla, 2013; Sojobi, Nwobodo, & Aladegboye, 2016; Yet, Hamid, & Kasmuri, 2012). Further research and development on the technical, economic and environmental aspects of eco-friendly products as well as improved standardization, government policy and public education as espoused by Zhang (2013), are urgently needed. To achieve environmental sustainability in the construction industry, it is imperative that the design, selection of materials, construction and maintenance of concrete, concrete products and civil engineering structures must reflect environmental friendliness (Folic’, 2009). The selection and combination of supplementary cementitious and recycled materials (SCM) must take into consideration the properties relevant to their usage and performance, durability as well as the exposure conditions (Elahi, Basheer, Nanukuttan, & Khan, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
