Affiliation:
1. Instituto Federal de Sergipe, Brazil
Abstract
Sawdust generated by wood processing, both in industries processing and in tree felling, is a waste that has several applications for reuse, but, in many cases, it is still discarded irregularly in the environment, contaminating the soil, air, and water. The production of lightweight aggregate (LWA) can be an option for the reuse of this sawdust. The LWA is a gravel solution used in civil construction with the objective of reducing the weight of the structure, improving thermal and acoustic compliance, or as an option for locations where gravel is not available. In Brazil, and in most parts of the world, there are common clays available that can be used in the LWA production. The aim of this research was to produce an LWA for different applications, among them, as aggregate for civil construction, bricks, and as an adornment element. Formulations were tested to produce LWA containing illitic clay and sawdust. In the same way, for comparison, a commercial LWA was purchased, and formulations were made with clay and coal, and clay and fuel oil. The specimens were produced by pressing at 30 MPa in a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 19 mm and a height of 15 mm. After firing, the specimens were characterized by technological tests of water absorption, bulk density, compressive strength, X-ray diffraction analysis, and chemistry by X-ray fluorescence. The results indicated that the incorporation of sawdust in the formulations can be an alternative to produce LWA, once it obtained high strength and low density, compared to commercial LWA and to that produced with unattractive materials. Furthermore, it may contribute to the reduction of environmental impact, resulting from the disposal of sawdust and the generation of natural resources, necessary to produce construction materials.
Publisher
Zeppelini Editorial e Comunicacao
Reference55 articles.
1. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 1992. Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Organic Soils. ASTM D 2974-1992.
2. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 1998. Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils. ASTM D422-63-1998.
3. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 2005. Standard Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water. ASTM C-20-2005.
4. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 2010a. Standard test method for Liquid Limit, Plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM D4318.
5. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 2010b. Standard Practice for Use of Unbonded Caps in Determination of compressive Strength of Hardened Concrete Cylinders, ASTM C-1231.