Properties of sawdust concrete: overview of material characteristics and manufacturing technology

A novel building material called sawdust concrete combines the strength of concrete with the lightweight and insulating qualities of wood. Because of its sustainability and adaptability, this eco-friendly material is becoming more and more popular in the construction industry. Sawdust concrete is a valuable option for a variety of applications because it offers a distinctive blend of characteristics derived from the incorporation of sawdust, a byproduct of wood processing, into the concrete mix.

The superior thermal insulation of sawdust concrete is one of its most notable qualities. Compared to conventional concrete, the addition of sawdust improves insulation by lowering the density of the concrete. Because of this, it’s perfect for building energy-efficient structures, which lowers heating and cooling expenses while preserving comfortable interior temperatures.

Sawdust concrete is also lightweight, which makes it easier to work with and lessens the structural load on structures. This feature reduces the overall weight of structures, which is especially helpful in earthquake-prone areas. Sawdust concrete is suitable for a variety of construction applications because it is lighter than traditional concrete while maintaining good strength and durability.

Cement, sand, water, and sawdust are mixed in precise amounts during the sawdust concrete manufacturing process. To make sure the sawdust doesn’t negatively impact the mixture’s strength and durability, it needs to be carefully chosen and handled. After mixing the ingredients, the mixture is poured into molds and allowed to harden and take on the desired shape.

Sawdust concrete block – what is it??

To ensure optimal comprehension, let us first familiarize ourselves with the material’s composition and work toward determining ways to impact its performance even during the production phase.

Composition of the material and its main properties

The following are the primary raw materials used to make opilcol concrete:

1. Sawdust;
2. Water;
3. Sand;
4. Cement;
5. Lime.

The following are characteristics of component application and composition:

• The water must be cleaned and meet the requirements of GOST (by acidity, for example, other indicators).
• Cement is used at least 400 brands. The higher the cement brand, the denser the finished block will be. This is the main astringent component.
• Sand, as a rule, is used quartz.
• SPILS – filler. It is recommended to use the product processing product of the coniferous rock, since the mixture with such a filler sets faster. The ideal option is the sawdust of the spruce.

Many will wonder how an opillac concrete, which contains organicism and is subject to biological effects, can be strong. Everything is very easy to understand.

Chemical additives are most frequently used to counteract the effects of water-soluble sugars. To be more exact, the wood is pre-treated.

Use of a 10% lime solution is possible. After spraying, the raw materials are continuously stirred for three to four days.

Ammonium sulfate and liquid glass are also utilized. Since the precise recipe for sawdust concrete is unknown, every manufacturer uses a different ratio of ingredients, which inevitably results in variations in the finished products’ qualities.

Kindly take note! Increase the cement content and decrease the water content to boost the strength. The main properties’ reading will also be impacted by the sawdust fraction. Frost resistance and other performance attributes rise in tandem with weight and density increases.

Let’s now familiarize ourselves with the attributes of the merchandise.

What is sawdust concrete? Its principal characteristics are as follows:

Note: Due to the effect of natural humidity, the value will be slightly higher while the building is in operation.

These signs suggest that sawdust blocks are useful for a variety of construction tasks, including wall construction and insulation.

The density affects the thermal conductivity coefficient as well. Below, we’ll go into more detail about this.

• Sawdust concrete is characterized by an indicator of 50 cycles. But this is typical for denser products.
• The minimum value should not be less than 25, and this only applies to blocks with which external walls will be erected.
• For thermal insulation products, the frost resistance grade is not standardized.

Types of material

Although sawdust concrete is not classified very broadly, there are still many different kinds of sawdust concrete.

Here’s a closer look:

• Sawdust concrete can be made as a partition or wall block. The wall product is used in the construction of both internal and external walls. Partition blocks, respectively, are used in the construction of partitions.
• Blocks can be solid or have voids of various shapes and in various quantities. They can also be blind and through.

Although hollow products have higher thermal efficiency and are lighter, they have lower strength and average density indicators.

The primary classification involves organizing the content based on its intended use.

• Insulation of walls with sawdust concrete is carried out using a heat-insulating type of material. Its density is no more than 400 kg / m3, but the thermal conductivity does not exceed 0.11 W * mC. That is why insulation with sawdust concrete is even more popular than the construction of walls using it.

Furthermore, not just goods are utilized. For example, monolithic sawdust concrete can be used to fill a frame or install a screed.

• If you decide to use the material when constructing a building, pay attention to the structural products, their density grade reaches 800 (kg / m3). For low-rise construction, this value is quite sufficient.

Additionally, you can learn how to lay sawdust concrete walls from the video in this article.

There are various sizes of sawdust concrete in the picture below.

Positive and negative sides of products

Advantages of the content:

• High thermal efficiency of products;
• Good density and compressive strength;
• Ecological friendliness of the composition and fire resistance;
• Low price for products;
• Soundproofing ability, vapor permeability;
• Low weight of the material;
• Ease of production;
• Large sizes of products;
• Ease of handling.

• Increased hygroscopicity;
• Shrinkage susceptibility;
• The presence of handicraft production increases the risk of purchasing low-quality products;
• A long period of achieving brand strength, which can reach 90 days;
• Not very good geometry of products does not allow to avoid finishing even if the building is an outbuilding.

Sawdust concrete, sometimes referred to as wood concrete, is a cutting-edge building material that substitutes sawdust for traditional cement in a lightweight, environmentally responsible manner. Because recycled wood waste is used in its production, this material has several benefits, such as enhanced thermal insulation, decreased weight, and increased sustainability. In addition, it has strong fire resistance and sound insulation, which makes it a desirable choice for a range of building projects. Sawdust is manufactured by combining it with cement, water, and additives to improve its characteristics. The end product is a multipurpose material that can be used for flooring, walls, and partitions. All things considered, sawdust concrete offers a practical and sustainable answer to contemporary building requirements.

Production of the material

Let’s now take a quick look at how to create sawdust concrete at home and how a factory goes about doing it.

Equipment and raw materials

Regarding the necessary equipment, a variety of kits are available.

• At large enterprises, a conveyor type is used. It is maximally automated, and production volumes can reach hundreds of cubic meters per day.
• Stationary lines are more mechanized, although the volumes of manufactured products remain considerable, and they can reach 80 m3 per day. Their cost is significantly lower, and the equipment is more modest.
• For small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, mini-installations are suitable. They are quite budget-friendly, but at the same time they can bring in profit.
• If you decide to produce products for your own needs, you can purchase only a concrete mixer and TISE molds. With the help of the latter, construction times can be reduced as much as possible.

You can construct a sawdust concrete production machine on your own.

A brief word on the raw materials now.

It is important to keep in mind that the primary indicators of the final products’ qualities will rely on the component proportions, so it will be pertinent to take the various options into consideration. How then do I select the appropriate composition?

• If you want to make a block with M5 strength, then you will need: sawdust – 4 parts, lime or clay – 4 parts, one part of sand and cement.
• Products with a strength of M10 can be obtained by mixing: sawdust – 4 parts, sand – 4 parts, cement – 2 parts, lime or clay – 3 parts.
• Material with strength M15: sawdust – 4 parts, sand – 7 parts, cement – 3, lime – 2.
• Products with strength M20: sawdust – 4 parts, sand – 10 parts, cement – 4, and lime – 1 part.

The solution can be combined by adding water to a concrete mixer and then progressively adding the other ingredients. Combine all ingredients until a uniform mass is achieved.

Note: You can squeeze some of the tight solution in your fist to see if the mixture is ready. In this instance, the mixture shouldn’t crumble and no liquid should escape.

Stages of work

The works are listed in the following order:

1. First, mix the solution;
2. The next stage is molding;
3. Wait a little time, during which the products "set";
4. After 10-15 hours, the blocks can be removed;
5. Sawdust concrete reaches its brand strength quite slowly, up to 3 months.

Note: Since lime somewhat impedes this process, the curing time can be shortened if it is replaced with any other ingredient, such as clay. Furthermore, its price is not negligible, which will cause the cost of the final goods to rise dramatically.

The video will assist you if you still have questions about sawdust concrete production.

How profitable can independent production be?

Lowering construction costs can be greatly aided by independent production. particularly if you tackle this matter with complete responsibility.

Let’s examine the primary elements influencing independent production’s profitability:

• Cost of raw materials;
• Number of defective products;
• As a result, the cost of production;
• Equipment costs;
• The required number of blocks and much more.

Nonetheless, when producing 90 m3, the savings will be 72,000 rubles if we assume that the average market price of one cubic meter of sawdust block is approximately 3,500 rubles and its cost price during production is 2,700 rubles.

This sum should also be reduced by the cost of the equipment. Assume for the moment that the set cost $45,000.

27 000 (72,000 – 45,000). This is a straight savings.

Let"s figure it out: sawdust concrete block and arbolite are the same?

Yes, sawdust concrete and arbolite are essentially the same. Only the vegetable filler makes a difference, and as a result, certain indicators do. For this reason, hemp concrete—the sawdust block’s closest relative—is depicted in some of the article’s photos.

Both products are subject to the uniform requirements of GOST 19222-84 "Arbolite and products made from it".

Anyhow, sawdust concrete or arbolite?

• As already mentioned, the main difference lies in the filler. Sawdust concrete is made with the addition of sawdust, and arbolite – wood chips.
• Due to the presence of chips (and not sawdust), arbolite is more resistant to compression and stretching – that is, to any deformation processes.
• Arbolite is significantly more expensive than sawdust concrete. Moreover, the process of preparing chips is quite labor-intensive and expensive, and the price of wood has never been budget-friendly.

Conversely, since sawdust is a waste product, sawmill owners are willing to give it to you for free.

• The ratio of density, strength and thermal efficiency of arbolite is much better.

Comparison of the properties of sawdust concrete with other materials

Let us now examine how sawdust concrete compares to other widely used building materials:

Property	Expanded clay concrete	Sawdust concrete	Aerated concrete	Polystyrene concrete
Average density, D	400-2000	250-800	300-1200	150-600
Frost resistance grade, cycles	Up to 300	50	150	150
Thermal conductivity, W*mC	0.14-0.5	0.07-0.19	0.08-0.4	0.05-0.17
Strength grade, In	M1.5-M20	0.5-9.5	1.5-15	0.5-3.5
Water absorption	18%	15-20%	25%	5%
Shrinkage	Not subject to	1 mm/m2	0.3 mm/m2	0.3 mm/m2

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Property	Description
Thermal Insulation	Sawdust concrete provides excellent thermal insulation, making it energy-efficient and ideal for maintaining indoor temperature.
Lightweight	The material is significantly lighter than traditional concrete, making it easier to handle and reducing structural load.
Eco-Friendly	Sawdust concrete is made from renewable resources and reduces waste, making it an environmentally friendly building material.
Durability	While not as strong as standard concrete, it is suitable for non-load-bearing walls and offers adequate durability for many applications.

A cutting-edge building material that blends sustainability and practicality is sawdust concrete. It is an environmentally friendly option for building projects due to its special mixture of sawdust, water, and cement that provides a lightweight substitute for conventional concrete. Sawdust, a byproduct of wood processing, is used in energy-efficient buildings because it improves the material’s insulating qualities and decreases waste.

Sawdust concrete’s superior acoustic and thermal insulation is one of its best qualities. This substance can improve both residential and commercial spaces by lowering noise pollution and assisting in the maintenance of comfortable indoor temperatures. Its lightweight design also facilitates handling and transportation, which could save money and time during construction.

There are certain restrictions with sawdust concrete despite all of its benefits. Because of its tendency to be weaker than conventional concrete, it might not be as useful for load-bearing applications. These issues are being addressed by continued research and development, though, as improvements in formulation and reinforcement methods keep the system operating at a higher level.

All things considered, sawdust concrete is a promising advancement.

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